Arsenal’s bright start to the season hit a stumbling block as they suffered a narrow defeat to Liverpool, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick proving decisive.
Despite coming into the match on the back of two wins and consecutive clean sheets, Mikel Arteta’s side found it difficult to break down the reigning champions, struggling to create clear opportunities in the final third.
One player who came under the spotlight was new signing Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker, who has already opened his Premier League account with two goals, endured a frustrating evening as Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté kept him largely quiet. Reports suggest that Gyökeres felt “bullied” physically by the Frenchman, preventing him from having his usual impact in front of goal.
However, Gyökeres’ frustrations did not appear to be directed solely at his own performance. According to post-match reports, the 27-year-old voiced anger at a teammate whose decision-making he believed contributed heavily to Arsenal’s loss. “When he’s supposed to shoot, he’ll pass. When he’s supposed to pass, he’ll shoot,” the striker allegedly said, venting his irritation at the unnamed player’s poor judgment on the ball.
Insiders claim Gyökeres even went as far as issuing an ultimatum to the club’s management, reportedly saying, “Either they sell him, or I will leave. I’m not used to this kind of selfish football.
He was the reason why we lost to Liverpool yesterday.” Such a bold statement, especially from a player who only recently arrived in North London, has surprised many but also underlined the high standards and winning mentality he has brought from his prolific time at Sporting Lisbon, where he scored an astonishing 97 goals in just 102 appearances.
Although Gyökeres avoided naming the player in public, speculation quickly spread among fans and pundits. Online debates have pointed fingers at certain Arsenal attackers known for inconsistency in the final third, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both being suggested as possible culprits.
The key statistic fueling the discussion is the fact that one of Arsenal’s attacking players surrendered possession more than 20 times during the match, disrupting attacking moves and leaving the Gunners exposed to Liverpool’s quick transitions.
Arteta has not directly addressed Gyökeres’ comments, but after the defeat, the Spaniard admitted that the team needs to raise their level. “We need to be sharper in the final third and more connected as a unit,” he said, reflecting on a night where Arsenal’s lack of cohesion was evident.
For Gyökeres, the defeat exposed not just the gap between Arsenal and Europe’s elite, but also the growing need for chemistry within Arteta’s frontline. His hunger, work rate, and clinical edge are clear assets, but unless he builds a stronger understanding with teammates, the Gunners’ push for silverware could face significant hurdles.
