Ruben Amorim will know what to expect when he comes up against Viktor Gyokeres in Sunday’s Premier League opener between Man United and Arsenal, but he has already revealed the striker’s biggest weakness.
Gyokeres, 27, moved to the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon for a fee rising to £64million last month after a lengthy transfer saga throughout the summer.
The Swedish striker, who was also linked to United, is set to play in the Premier League for the first time after previously representing Brighton, Swansea and Coventry in English football.
It was at the Sky Blues where Gyokeres made his name and he moved to Sporting in 2023 when Amorim was manager of the Portuguese side.
Gyokeres enjoyed a stunning two seasons in Lisbon and developed into one of the most fearsome strikers in Europe after netting 97 times in 102 matches.
However, in quotes that have recirculated, back in March 2024 Amorim once gave a brutal assessment of Gyokeres’ game and highlighted a major flaw.
‘There’s a lot Gyokeres needs to improve on,’ Amorim had said in the aftermath of Sporting crashing out of the Europa League to Atalanta by virtue of a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
‘He plays the same way against a slow or a fast centre-back. Everything he does in the Portuguese First Division, he does against Atalanta.
He can still improve his understanding of the game. He still lacks defensive reaction, and all coaches look at that.’
Despite the harsh words, Amorim enjoyed a strong relationship with Gyokeres and during the same interview he made sure to praise the 27-year-old’s talents.
‘There are many small details he can still improve on, but he gives us a lot,’ Amorim added.
‘He always stretches the team, lets us rest, wins fouls, and often other teams have to substitute centre-backs because they’re on a yellow card or tired.’
During his first full season with Sporting, Gyokeres scored 43 goals before he racked up an astonishing 54 in 52 games in 2024-25.
He also showed his quality on the European stage by scoring six goals in the Champions League, which included a hat-trick against Man City last season.
Elsewhere, Gyokeres has previously praised Amorim when reflecting on their time together at Sporting after the United boss moved to Old Trafford in November.
‘The style of play we had under him suited me perfectly,’ Gyokeres said earlier this summer. ‘We won two championships in a row for the first time in 71 years.
‘It’s an incredible achievement and, of course, Ruben Amorim played a big part in that. I can’t thank him enough.’
Meanwhile, after signing for Arsenal, Gyokeres revealed why he had chosen a move to the Emirates over interest from rival teams.
‘I just felt that it was the right club for me,’ he told the club’s website shortly after signing.
What I heard from Mikel and Andrea (Berta) when I was speaking with them, and just what I’ve seen in the past years, how they’ve been playing football.
‘When I was playing against Arsenal last season [in the Champions League], I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.
‘That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase.
‘It’s been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That’s what it’s all about. It’s going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well.’
