Former Arsenal star Mesut Özil has sent shockwaves through the football world after making a brutal statement about the Gunners’ reported pursuit of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish forward has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates as Mikel Arteta looks to add more firepower to his squad, but Özil’s blunt words have cast doubt over the deal.
Speaking to reporters, Özil didn’t hold back when addressing the rumours. While acknowledging Gyökeres’ recent success in Portugal, he questioned whether the striker has the quality to perform consistently at the Premier League level. “It’s one thing to score goals in Sporting,” Özil reportedly said, “but playing for Arsenal in England is a completely different challenge. You need mentality, consistency, and the ability to handle pressure. I’m not sure he’s ready for that.”
Özil’s comments have split opinion among Arsenal fans. Some agree with the German playmaker, arguing that Arsenal should aim for a more proven, world-class striker if they are serious about challenging Manchester City and Liverpool. Others, however, believe Özil’s statement is too harsh, pointing to Gyökeres’ physicality, goal-scoring form, and potential to thrive under Arteta’s system.
Meanwhile, reports from Portugal suggest that Sporting are unwilling to part with their star man unless Arsenal are prepared to trigger his release clause, which is set at a hefty figure. This makes the transfer not only a question of quality but also one of financial commitment.
For Arsenal, the pursuit of a striker remains one of the most urgent priorities. With Gabriel Jesus struggling for consistency and Eddie Nketiah still not fully convincing, Gyökeres is seen by many as a strong option to add depth and a new dimension to the attack.
Özil’s sharp verdict, however, ensures that the debate around this potential signing will continue. As the January window approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly on whether Arsenal push forward with the deal—or take Özil’s warning as a reason to look elsewhere.