Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was slammed by the Swedish media. This happened after a poor performance in Sweden’s 2–0 defeat against Switzerland on Friday evening.
Sweden’s 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes seems like low possibility with that performance. They are at the bottom of the group, eight points off Switzerland and three off Kosovo.
Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres is a Swedish striker who moved from Swedish club to Coventry, whose goals attracted more attention. In 2023 Sporting CP made ~€20m+ to sign him; he scored 97 goals in 102 games, winning two Primeira Liga titles. In the summer of 2025 he transferred to Arsenal on a five-year contract worth about £55m with add-ons, looking to reproduce his goal output in the Premier League.
Media criticism: “Weak” and “resigned” Viktor Gyokeres
A few Swedish media were critical in their review of the game of Gyokeres. Expressen awarded him 1/5 and wrote:> “Thundered away from deep — from minute one! Viktor Gyökeres appeared lively. Then he tired. And was clumsy. Number of mistakes grew … overall, he was one of the absolute weakest players on the field.”
Other outlets branded him as “resigned and awkward” in his motion on the field. Sports Mole commented that Gyokeres didn’t miss an opportunity to register even one shot on goal and seemed uncertain of his own confidence. Fotbollskanalen was more fair, admitting that Sweden needed him to be better under pressure — but claiming he didn’t deliver that. Svenska Fans also awarded him 1/5, saying that he “looked resigned and awkward,” and suggesting that his form is deteriorating.
But there’s debate as to how poor he was. Sofascore rated Gyokeres at 7.2/10 in that game — more than Alexander Isak, who received a rating of 6.5/10.
Recent let-downs at club and international level
Gyokeres‘ dramatic night in an Arsenal shirt also comes against the background of setbacks. His overall since he joined Arsenal on summer transfer has not been as anticipated. Sports Mole highlights that he has only netted three times in 10 appearances. His last strike came on September 13. The striker has not scored in six of the Gunners’ subsequent outings.
In that match against Switzerland, he failed to have a shot on target. His xG was roughly 0.08 — extremely low for an international striker in the game. He did have two important passes and created one “big chance,” though, so it appears like he was having an impact without the ball.
Defence from the manager
Not all of Gyokeres’ voices off were negative. Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson defended his striker. He and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta dismissed claims that Gyokeres has no influence.
Gyokeres “creates space for other players, works on the ball and makes runs,” claimed Tomasson. He complained that those who claim that Gyokeres has no influence “don’t understand football.”.
Arteta himself has also complimented him in earlier interviews, having faith in his capability and dependability even in worse times.
Balance: too harsh or just?
And indeed, was the criticism justified or overboard? Some remarks:
With stakes high on the game, media in Sweden were looking for a sublime performance. And since it did not materialize, they fell on him heavily.
Low shot totals, low xG, and clear signs of fatigue all lend support to the grievance that his contribution was negligible.
However, the fairly reasonable Sofascore rating and the fact that he managed to still create opportunities imply that he wasn’t completely invisible.The most critical voices might be the result of disappointment rather than perfect justice.
Author’s Insight
Either way, Gyokeres is in the limelight now — from the fans and the media to react instinctively. With Sweden already trailing in their group, every game has to be do-or-die. And for Gyokeres, a return to form is not so much a matter of pride. It could be crucial to his national team’s destiny and his Arsenal rhythm.
