Dietmar Hamann Delivers Scathing Verdict on Arsenal's Record Signing
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has delivered a brutal assessment of Arsenal's marquee summer signing, claiming the Gunners made a major error in pursuing Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. The pundit insists the forward simply "hasn't got what it takes" to elevate Mikel Arteta's side to championship-winning status.
£60 Million Gamble Failing to Pay Dividends
Arsenal invested heavily last summer, spending north of £60 million to secure Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The move was designed to finally address the long-standing void at centre-forward, a position repeatedly identified as the team's primary weakness. Despite an impressive record of 97 goals across two seasons in Portugal, the striker has struggled to translate that prolific form to the Premier League.
His statistics make for concerning reading for Arsenal supporters. In 29 appearances across all competitions, Gyokeres has netted just 10 times, with only five of those coming in the league. More alarmingly, he is currently enduring an 11-game Premier League run without a single non-penalty goal, highlighting his difficulties in adapting to English football's intensity.
"Not Good Enough" for Arsenal's Ambitions
Speaking to CasinoBeats, Hamann did not mince his words regarding the 27-year-old's capabilities. "I always said Arsenal needed a centre-forward," he stated. "I feel at the moment... I don't think he's one of the top strikers in Europe. I think he's a goal scorer but then again I don't think a goal scorer against the best teams is enough."
The German questioned whether Gyokeres possesses the technical ability to thrive against elite defences. "I'm just not sure whether he's got the ability to play against the best defenders in Europe and in the Premier League," Hamann added. "They brought Gyokeres in as the centre-forward but I don't think he's good enough."
Arteta's Persistent Defence Amid Growing Pressure
Manager Mikel Arteta has consistently offered public backing for his striker, defending Gyokeres's overall contribution to the team's play. However, the undeniable reality is that Arsenal require a significant return on their substantial investment. The situation echoes previous struggles with Gabriel Jesus, who arrived from Manchester City in 2022 but failed to deliver the consistent goal tallies produced by rivals' star forwards like Erling Haaland.
Hamann acknowledged the need for patience but remained unconvinced about the long-term outcome. "Sometimes we have to give players a bit of time because it's a difficult game," he conceded. "But I'm not sure he's got what it takes to lead the line for a club like Arsenal and take them to the title in all honesty."
Title Challenge Continues Despite Striker Concerns
Remarkably, Arsenal's quest for silverware remains firmly on track despite Gyokeres's underwhelming output. The team currently sits top of the Premier League and remains competitive across all four competitions. This resilience has somewhat masked the centre-forward issue, but it continues to be a dominant topic of discussion among fans and pundits alike.
The coming months will prove crucial. With the title race intensifying, the pressure on Gyokeres to start converting chances and justify his price tag will only increase. For now, Dietmar Hamann's stark warning stands as a very public challenge to both the player and the club's recruitment strategy.
