Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has reportedly expressed his frustration with Mikel Arteta over the decision to let a prolific goal-scorer leave the club on a free transfer. Since departing, the player has outperformed even Kai Havertz in front of goal, amassing an impressive 45 goals and assists in just 30 appearances.

Arsenal may have just passed up a golden opportunity to secure one of Europe’s most in-form players before the competition for his signature becomes overwhelming.

Mikel Arteta, alongside Edu Gaspar — the club’s Director of Football — made the decision to pull out of a potential summer deal for Viktor Gyokeres, largely due to the hefty financial demands involved. Despite this, the Swedish striker is currently showing why he carried such a lofty price tag, enjoying a sensational start to the 2024/25 season.

The North London side might come to regret not pushing through with a move for Gyokeres during the summer transfer window. Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal considered the striker “too expensive” because of his £86 million release clause.

In an interview with Men in Blazers, Romano mentioned that while Arsenal were in the market for another forward, it was unlikely to be a big-money signing like Gyokeres. Instead, the club opted for a short-term fix, bringing in Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea.

However, as the new season unfolds, Arsenal’s hesitation might be starting to backfire. Gyokeres has been in unstoppable form, registering an outstanding seven goals and three assists in just five matches for Sporting CP.

His impressive performances have extended to international duty too, where he notched three goals and two assists in just two UEFA Nations League fixtures for Sweden. This brings his overall tally to ten goals and five assists in merely seven appearances across club and country so far this campaign.

Given that Gyokeres had already delivered an extraordinary 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 matches during the previous season, his current form shouldn’t come as a shock. Still, the scale of his contributions so early into the season highlights what Arsenal may have missed.

Despite this setback, there remains hope for the Gunners. While Europe’s top clubs might begin circling, several of them have already bolstered their attacking options, with Real Madrid landing Kylian Mbappé, Bayern Munich relying on Harry Kane, and Manchester City having Erling Haaland.

This leaves a potential opening for Arsenal to revisit the deal in the next transfer window. Should Arteta continue to lack a consistent No.9 capable of delivering in tight situations, triggering Gyokeres’ £86 million release clause next summer could become an irresistible option for the club’s hierarchy.