Arsenal may be sitting atop the Premier League table, but doubts are already being cast over their ability to stay there. Despite Mikel Arteta assembling a squad touted as one of the most complete in English football, some pundits believe a key summer signing could end up being their downfall in the 2025/26 title race.
Gyökeres Signing Sparks Debate
After a major summer spending spree that saw the Gunners invest approximately £250 million, Arsenal addressed their long-standing striker issue by signing Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon for a reported £64 million. While the 27-year-old has netted three times in his first seven league appearances, not everyone is convinced he’s the elite frontman needed to secure the Premier League crown.
Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott recently weighed in with a scathing critique, labeling Gyökeres as merely “okay” and questioning his ability to lead a title-winning attack. “If you’re going to win the league, your striker can’t be okay, he has to be top,” Lescott told Sky Bet. He added, “I don’t think Mikel Arteta can get Arsenal over the line in the Premier League.”
Arteta’s Champions League Edge?
While Lescott expressed skepticism about Arsenal’s Premier League prospects, he suggested that the Champions League might suit Arteta’s style better. According to him, the sporadic nature of European knockout rounds could play to Arsenal’s strengths. “With the way he rotates and because of that big gap before the knockout stages, no one knows what kind of form or fitness teams will be in,” Lescott said. “That suits Arsenal better than having to be consistently good every single week to win the league.”
Waddle Questions Gyökeres’ Premier League Readiness
Chris Waddle, another ex-England international, echoed similar doubts over Gyökeres. Speaking to BestBettingSites, Waddle reflected on the striker’s unpredictable nature from his Coventry City days. “He could dribble past two players and score, or fall over his own legs trying to do the same thing again,” Waddle quipped.
Though he acknowledged Gyökeres’ success in Portugal — where he scored over 30 goals for Sporting — Waddle emphasized the difference in standards. “Except for Porto, Benfica, and maybe Braga, you’re not always getting a serious game. In the Premier League, the standards are different,” he said. While praising the striker’s work rate and desire, Waddle ultimately concluded: “Right now, he’s not necessarily a huge step-up from what they had before.”
Arsenal Still Top, But Can They Stay There?
Arsenal currently hold a slender one-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. While Liverpool started strong with five straight wins, back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea saw them slip. The Gunners, meanwhile, have dropped points against Liverpool and Manchester City but have claimed victory in six of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Despite their form and squad depth, concerns linger over whether this team — and this striker — can go the distance. With fierce competition from both Liverpool and Manchester City, Arsenal’s title hopes may hinge on Gyökeres proving his doubters wrong.
