Controversial pundit Richard Keys has launched a scathing attack on Arsenal supporters, claiming a section of the fanbase is actively hoping the club's big-money striker Viktor Gyokeres fails to succeed.
A Struggling Start for the Swedish Forward
The Sweden international, who joined the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon in a £64 million deal last July, has found goals hard to come by in recent months. Despite Arsenal's promising league position, Gyokeres' personal form has become a talking point.
His failure to score in the recent 3-2 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium extended a worrying run. The 27-year-old has now gone 12 consecutive matches in all competitions without finding the net from open play.
Mounting Pressure and Fierce Competition
Billed as the final piece of Mikel Arteta's attacking puzzle upon his arrival, Gyokeres now faces a significant battle to retain his starting spot. The return to fitness of Gabriel Jesus after a year out with a knee injury provides a direct challenge, while Kai Havertz is also closing in on a comeback.
While his physicality and work rate have contributed to the team's overall play, his goal return has been undeniably disappointing. Aside from a brace against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and a match-winning penalty against Everton, his only other strikes have come against relegation-threatened sides Burnley, Leeds United, and Nottingham Forest.
Pundits Divided on the Striker's Future
Speaking before the Bournemouth match, fellow beIN Sports analyst Andy Gray backed Arteta's persistence, stating: 'He's capable of getting 20-plus goals at this club if they use him properly... I would just keep playing him.' Gray urged patience, believing rhythm and a couple of goals would transform the player's confidence.
Keys, however, presented a far more cynical view of the atmosphere surrounding the striker. 'Arsenal fans are a strange beast,' he said. 'I get the feeling a lot of them are willing him to fail. That's how they're built. They are anxious about the fact they're leading.' He further described the supporters as 'a very different breed to most.'
This stark criticism suggests that, for some, the patience is already wearing thin, with whispers beginning about whether the club might need to seek an upgrade if the drought continues.
