Arsenal’s Pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres: Are Penalty Goals a Red Flag?

Arsenal is reportedly intensifying its interest in Viktor Gyokeres, the Sporting CP striker, during this summer transfer window.The Swedish international’s name has been circulating around the Emirates Stadium for quiet some time, especially after his notable performances in Portugal. This season, Gyokeres has solidified his position in the football world, amassing an impressive 39 goals in 33 league appearances. Though, a notable portion of those goals came from penalty kicks, raising concerns about his overall suitability for Arsenal.

The Allure adn the concern: Gyokeres’ Goal-Scoring Record

While Gyokeres’ overall goal tally is undeniably impressive, a closer look reveals that 19 of his league goals in the 2024/25 season were scored from the penalty spot. This accounts for a significant portion of his total 54 goals across all competitions.While a goal is a goal, irrespective of how it’s scored, relying heavily on penalties can be a risky proposition for a team like Arsenal, who need consistent open-play scoring.

Did You Know? Gyokeres’ 19 penalty goals tie him with Jardel (Sporting CP, 2001/02) for the most penalties scored in a single season across Europe’s top ten leagues this century, according to