The mood around Arsenal is not perfect right now, but the wider picture still matters. Mikel Arteta’s side have been hit by injuries and constant rotation, yet scrutiny around an Arsenal summer signing has started to grow. Despite that, they remain top of both the Premier League and the Champions League, which does not happen by accident.
Those positions raise expectations even further. If Arsenal want to stay ahead of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, margins will matter again. Recruitment is part of that conversation, and one summer signing is now becoming increasingly difficult to explain.
GYOKERES HAS NOT SOLVED THE STRIKER QUESTION
Arsenal’s need for a reliable number nine was clear long before the transfer window opened. The club wanted a striker who could turn pressure into goals. Tight games demand that quality.
Signing Viktor Gyokeres felt like a logical gamble. His scoring record over the previous two seasons was impressive. There was always an understanding that those numbers would drop in England. That drop has been sharper than expected.
Six goals in 19 appearances is not disastrous, but it is underwhelming for a striker signed to raise the level. More concerning is how he looks during games. His touch has often been heavy. His hold-up play has been inconsistent. Against Wolves, he struggled to keep possession when control was needed.
There is still time for things to improve. Strikers often need rhythm. For now, though, Gyokeres has not solved Arsenal’s biggest attacking issue.
Even so, he is not the most confusing signing in the squad.
THE SIGNING THAT FEELS EVEN HARDER TO EXPLAIN
Most of Arsenal’s summer business has made sense. One move, however, continues to raise questions. Christian Norgaard arrived in June with experience, leadership and versatility. On paper, it looked like smart depth for a long season. In practice, that depth has barely been used.
Norgaard has played just 392 minutes across eight appearances. That is surprising given Arsenal’s injuries and rotation problems. His profile should suit those situations.
That lack of involvement is what makes the situation confusing. His standout moment came at centre-back against Club Brugge. He stepped in during a defensive crisis and looked comfortable. Arteta praised him afterwards, calling him “immaculate” and vital to the group. Those words have not led to minutes.
Even when Martin Zubimendi has looked in need of rest, Norgaard has stayed on the bench. That raises questions less about quality and more about planning.
IT IS NOT ABOUT QUALITY, IT IS ABOUT TRUST
This is not a criticism of Norgaard as a player. His Premier League pedigree is well established. His leadership credentials are clear. The issue is usage.
When a manager does not trust a player in key moments, the logic of the signing weakens. Squad depth only matters when it is actually used. Otherwise, it exists in theory rather than reality.
Arsenal have been forced to improvise defensively this season. Midfielders have been rotated. Players have been pushed into unfamiliar roles. Through all of that, Norgaard has remained on the periphery. That makes his presence feel increasingly redundant in a title-chasing squad.
HOW SUPPORTERS SEE IT
Among supporters, frustration is not aimed at individuals. It is aimed at clarity. Fans understand injuries, rotation and dips in form. What they struggle with are decisions that appear inconsistent. Confusion grows when selection choices do not match performances.
When a player performs well in rare appearances, earns praise, and then disappears, patience fades. Over time, that uncertainty creates the feeling that some squad roles lack purpose. That is often where dissatisfaction begins.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
Gyokeres may still come good. Many strikers do. Norgaard’s situation feels different. When a player is fit, experienced, and still ignored, the issue is not form. It is planning. That is why his signing is starting to feel harder to justify than any missed chance in front of goal.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
