Arsenal's acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres for £64m from Sporting Lisbon has sparked criticism from former players and pundits, particularly Joleon Lescott, who believes the club should have explored other attacking options like Joao Pedro or Hugo Ekitike. Gyokeres was once in fine form during his time in Portugal, which made him a prominent target for Arsenal, who were in urgent need of a new No. 9 to bolster their attacking lineup ahead of the Premier League season.

Lescott pointed out that despite Gyokeres' potential, his transition to the Premier League has not been smooth, highlighting a disappointing record of just eight goals in 25 appearances. The former Coventry City forward has struggled to replicate the goal-scoring prowess that made him a sought-after player in the transfer market, raising concerns about the validity of Arsenal's investment in him rather than alternative players.

The ongoing scrutiny of Gyokeres' performance could have broader implications for Arsenal's season as they aim for competitive success in the Premier League. Should the striker's form fail to improve, the pressure will mount on both the player and management regarding their recruitment strategy which prioritized Gyokeres, ultimately reflecting on Arsenal's capabilities in navigating the competitive transfer landscape.