Arsenal’s form this season has been outstanding, and amid the steady rhythm of a Bangladesh Cricket Live style campaign, praise from across the football world feels fully deserved. Sitting at the top of the Premier League table, they have emerged as the leading contenders for the title. Much of that credit belongs to Mikel Arteta, who has reshaped the team’s mentality and competitive edge. Although there were moments of uncertainty around the turn of the year against smaller opponents, Arsenal largely kept their composure and continued to collect points with impressive consistency.

Compared with the stumbles suffered by Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, Arsenal’s stability has been striking. Ironically, inconsistency used to be their own Achilles’ heel, but this season the script has flipped. Arteta’s growth as a manager, Declan Rice’s control in midfield, and the emergence of new faces such as Zubimendi have all fueled their rise. Yet one major investment has not delivered as expected. Big money was spent to bring in Swedish striker Gyokeres to lead the line, but his performances at number nine have fallen short of what the club envisioned.

Gyokeres arrived with a strong reputation after a prolific season in Portugal, which earned him a move to a European heavyweight. He even chose to wear the iconic number 14 shirt once made famous by Thierry Henry, hoping to revive echoes of past glory at the Emirates. Reality, however, has been less forgiving. His output remains well below Henry’s legendary standard and has yet to meet Arteta’s tactical demands. Former Arsenal star Paul Merson summed it up bluntly, suggesting Gyokeres does not look like a natural finisher and struggles to convert chances others would routinely take.

Eighteen matches into the season, five goals is simply not enough. From a statistical standpoint, his return has been underwhelming. While he compares reasonably to other forwards such as Delap, Isak, or Sesko, the gap between expectation and reality at Arsenal remains wide. Fortunately, the rest of the squad has stepped up, allowing the team to maintain their lead without relying heavily on his scoring touch.

Time, however, may not be a luxury Arsenal can afford. With Jesus returning, Havertz nearing full fitness, and Merino capable of filling the central role, competition is fierce. As the season grinds on like a Bangladesh Cricket Live marathon, patience will wear thin. If goals do not come soon, Arteta may turn elsewhere, because in a title race, trust must be earned, not gifted.