Gabriel Martinelli has again made the headlines after speaking with great conviction that Arsenal new striker Viktor Gyokeres can achieve a 30–40 goal season — and that Martin Odegaard will be instrumental in achieving that goal.
Martinelli Words
In recent interviews after Arsenal’s Champions League victory, Martinelli discussed how Odegaard’s passing range and vision can unleash the goal-scoring potential of Gyokeres. “We will try to give him the ball as much as possible to make him score 30 or 40 goals a season,” he declared.
Let’s break down why Martinelli’s assertion is ambitious — and whether it’s realistic based on what we currently know.
Recent context: Gyokeres, Odegaard and Arsenal
Gyokeres’ signing and early campaign
Viktor Gyokeres signed for Arsenal during the summer of 2025 from Sporting CP. The transfer was said to cost approximately £55 million with add-ons. At Sporting, he posted an incredible tally: 97 goals in 102 games during his stay.
His Arsenal debut has been solid but not spectacular. In nine games, he netted approximately three goals in the early stages of his career. Meanwhile, he has displayed excellent physical presence, intelligent movement, and a penchant to fight for opportunities. In Arsenal‘s 2–0 Champions League victory over Olympiakos, Gyokeres was involved in the lead-up play to the first goal, using his physicality to push through defenders.
Odegaard’s function
Captain Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s creative pivot. He possesses the vision to split defenses and locate forward runs — just the sort of passes that can serve a striker like Gyokeres.
Martinelli’s faith in the pairing is not blind hope: he emphasized that Gyokeres “likes to go in behind and attack the opposition’s box,” and that Odegaard is always “trying to find you” when forwards make runs.
Is 40 goals realistic? Pros and challenges
The Positives
1. Past scoring pedigree
Gyokeres already demonstrated he has the ability to score at a high level in a European league. His Sporting CV indicates he possesses that kind of finishing quality and reliability.
2. Support cast and system
With Arsenal, he has the attacking supporting cast of Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard. The creative midfield, with Odegaard at the center, provides him with ammunition. Chemistry developing, the supply should get better.
3. Physicality and work rate
Gyokeres is not only a finisher — he works hard, harasses defenders, keeps the ball up. In the Premier League, that is an asset and can create goal-scoring opportunities out of chaos. His teammates say he is a professional to work with, a stamina man.
The Challenges
1.Adaptation to Premier League
The intensity, pace, and defensive quality of the Premier League are greater than most other leagues. Even great strikers take time to settle in.
2. Injury and consistency
To achieve 40 goals, you must remain injury-free, have many games, and be consistent across competitions. Loss of form or physical issues may derailed massive targets.
3. Chances competition
Even when Odegaard provides him with quality passes, Gyokeres will have to share attacking space with wingers and other forwards. There might be some games that call for more creativity from others.
4. Pressure and expectation
Setting a 40-goal target early brings pressure. If expectation outruns reality, confidence may take a hit.
Verdict: Ambitious, but not impossible
Martinelli’s forecast of a 30–40 goal season is bold. Among those numbers, 40 is at the very upper limit. If everything aligns — fitness, form, chemistry, service — Gyokeres could come close. But the safer bracket is 25–35 goals, especially in a first season in the Premier League.
Author’s Insight
That said, Martinelli’s comments underscore how much confidence his teammates have in Gyokeres. Having Odegaard pulling strings behind him gives that ambition substance.
