BREAKING NEWS: Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has expressed frustration with Mikel Arteta for allowing a standout goal-scorer to leave the club for free. The player in question has since outperformed Kai Havertz in terms of goal-scoring, amassing 15 goals and assists in just seven games.

Arsenal may have missed a major opportunity to sign one of Europe’s rising stars, Viktor Gyökeres, before interest in him intensified. Manager Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s Director of Football, Edu Gaspar, decided not to pursue Gyökeres during the summer transfer window, primarily due to his £86 million price tag. However, Gyökeres is now proving himself worthy of that valuation with an outstanding start to the 2024/25 season.

Arsenal could soon regret their decision not to secure the Swedish striker. According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners chose to pass on Gyökeres, deeming his release clause too expensive. Romano explained, “Arsenal could consider adding another attacking player, but likely not one as costly as Viktor Gyökeres. They might look for a winger or a different type of player to provide fresh energy behind Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.”

Instead, Arsenal opted to bring in Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea. However, with the new season underway, Arsenal may be rethinking their choice to pass on Gyökeres.

Gyökeres has had a sensational start to the 2024/25 season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just five games for Sporting CP. He also impressed in the UEFA Nations League, scoring three goals and providing two assists for Sweden, totaling 10 goals and five assists in just seven appearances this season.

These achievements follow an equally impressive previous season, where Gyökeres netted 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 games, making Arsenal’s decision not to sign him even more difficult to justify.

Although Arsenal missed out on him this summer, they may have another chance to sign Gyökeres in the future. With Europe’s top clubs already securing elite strikers—such as Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappé, Bayern Munich with Harry Kane, and Manchester City with Erling Haaland—the competition for Gyökeres might not be as intense next summer.

If Arsenal struggles to find a reliable striker this season, Arteta could be tempted to activate Gyökeres’ £86 million release clause next summer. His finishing ability could provide Arsenal with the firepower they need to secure crucial points in tough matches.