The Premier League has a new predator, and he’s finally found his teeth. After a summer transfer from Sporting CP that felt like the final piece of the Arsenal puzzle, Viktor Gyökeres initially struggled under the weight of his £63.8 million price tag. Critics called him "untrusted" by teammates, and analysts pointed to worrying possession stats.
But as of February 2026, the narrative has flipped. The Swede has officially "woken up," transforming from a struggling newcomer into the most lethal statistical force in England since the turn of the year.
The 2026 Surge: By The Numbers
While the first half of the season was a "blip," Gyökeres has redefined himself over the last six weeks. He is currently outperforming every other striker in the league for pure output since January 1st.
The Goal Machine: Gyökeres has scored 6 goals across all competitions in 2026—more than any other Premier League player in the same period.
The Clinical Edge: His recent brace in the 3–0 win against Sunderland (Feb 7) took his tally to 8 league goals, with 4 of those coming in his last 4 appearances.
The "Six-Goal" Standard: By netting against the likes of Inter Milan in Europe and Chelsea in the cup, he has proven he’s not just a "flat-track bully."
Total Contributions: With 8 goal involvements (goals + assists) in his last 8 games, he is currently averaging a contribution every 90 minutes.
From "Bomb" to "Blast": Overcoming the Trust Issues
Just weeks ago, reports suggested a "bombshell" lack of trust in the Arsenal dressing room, with club legends like Paul Merson noting that the ball simply wasn't "sticking" to him.
The turnaround has been tactical as much as psychological. Mikel Arteta has adjusted the team's build-up to play more directly to Gyökeres’ strengths—using his physicality to win duels and his explosive "fast break" pace (evidenced by his 0.61 xG solo goal vs Sunderland).
Kaya Kaynak (Tifo Football): "The performances weren't always scintillating, and there were fears of attacking bluntness. But Gyökeres has rediscovered himself.
He is now the solution, not the problem."
Metric,Total (All Comps),2026 Calendar Year
Goals 6
Assists 1
FotMob Avg. Rating,8.2 (Last 4 games)
Status,Leading Goalscorer in 2026,Most In-Form PL Striker
The Evolution of the Mask: Is Viktor Gyökeres the Premier League's Most In-Form Striker? 🇸🇪🔥🎭
The Premier League has a new predator, and he’s finally found his teeth. After a summer transfer from Sporting CP that felt like the final piece of the Arsenal puzzle, Viktor Gyökeres initially struggled under the weight of his £63.8 million price tag. Critics called him "untrusted" by teammates, and analysts pointed to worrying possession stats.
But as of February 2026, the narrative has flipped. The Swede has officially "woken up," transforming from a struggling newcomer into the most lethal statistical force in England since the turn of the year.
The 2026 Surge: By The Numbers
While the first half of the season was a "blip," Gyökeres has redefined himself over the last six weeks. He is currently outperforming every other striker in the league for pure output since January 1st.
The Goal Machine: Gyökeres has scored 6 goals across all competitions in 2026—more than any other Premier League player in the same period.
The Clinical Edge: His recent brace in the 3–0 win against Sunderland (Feb 7) took his tally to 8 league goals, with 4 of those coming in his last 4 appearances.
The "Six-Goal" Standard: By netting against the likes of Inter Milan in Europe and Chelsea in the cup, he has proven he’s not just a "flat-track bully."
Total Contributions: With 8 goal involvements (goals + assists) in his last 8 games, he is currently averaging a contribution every 90 minutes.
From "Bomb" to "Blast": Overcoming the Trust Issues
Just weeks ago, reports suggested a "bombshell" lack of trust in the Arsenal dressing room, with club legends like Paul Merson noting that the ball simply wasn't "sticking" to him.
The turnaround has been tactical as much as psychological. Mikel Arteta has adjusted the team's build-up to play more directly to Gyökeres’ strengths—using his physicality to win duels and his explosive "fast break" pace (evidenced by his 0.61 xG solo goal vs Sunderland).
Kaya Kaynak (Tifo Football): "The performances weren't always scintillating, and there were fears of attacking bluntness. But Gyökeres has rediscovered himself. He is now the solution, not the problem."
Viktor Gyökeres: 2025/26 Season Snapshot
Metric Total (All Comps) 2026 Calendar Year
Goals 11 6
Assists 1 1
FotMob Avg. Rating 6.75 8.2 (Last 4 games)
Status Leading Goalscorer in 2026 Most In-Form PL Striker
The Verdict: The Mask is Back
Is he the best in the league? Erling Haaland still holds the overall Golden Boot lead, but in terms of current momentum, Gyökeres is the man nobody wants to defend. He has successfully navigated the "Premier League Adaptation Tax" and is now the primary reason Arsenal sit atop the table with a comfortable lead.