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Pundit slams Gyokeres after quiet display vs Liverpool

By on January 10, 2026

arsenal gyokeres

Former forward turned pundit Michael Owen has slammed Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres following his below-average performance against Liverpool in the Premier League on Thursday.

Following Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz’s injury problems, the Gunners decided to reinforce the No.9 position by purchasing the Swedish international last summer.

He displayed impressive performances at Sporting CP in the last two seasons and was one of the highest scorers in Europe. However, he has failed to replicate that in the Premier League thus far this season.

Although he scored three goals in the first four league matches, he has only managed to score once in the last nine consecutive league games, with his solitary goal coming from the penalty spot against Everton.

Gyokeres was anonymous against Liverpool in midweek and failed to register a single attempt before being taken off midway through the second half.

Now, on Premier League production(via Metro), Owen claims that although Gyokeres might be able to score goals against weaker opponents in the Premier League, he lacks the class to step up in big matches.

He is a ‘flat-track bully’ and would not be a long-term solution for Arsenal in their quest to become a free-flowing, goal-scoring team. As such, if the Champions League final were tomorrow, he would not start

Pundit slams Gyokeres

Owen said:

“They[Arsenal] wanted him [Gyokeres] to put the finishing touches on this team and they’re probably still searching for that person. If the Champions League final was tomorrow night, I’m not sure he would start. Against Burnley, against Nottingham Forest, against Everton, he probably is going to score a lot of goals, he can finish, he will be in the box.

“But to win these games [against Liverpool], you need a bit of class, you just need a bit of class and that’s just where he lacks. There’s a bit of a saying, a flat-track bully, I think he could be that type. The bottom line is the jury is out, I’m not sure he [Gyokeres] is the long-term answer.”

After recovering from his injury, Jesus has shown glimpses of his class already this season and even scored an excellent goal against Aston Villa after coming on in the second half.

The North London club even looked more dangerous in the second half vs Liverpool following the Brazilian’s introduction.

On the other hand, Havertz is close to returning to action after recovering from his knee injury. Therefore, Arteta is set to have many options to start in the No.9 position soon.