Arsenal striker
Viktor Gyökeres might count himself fortunate that
Mikel Arteta - unlike
Arsène Wenger before him - allows players a little more personal freedom when it comes to team traditions.
During Arsenal’s weekend clash with West Ham United, the Swedish forward extended his frustrating goal drought to six matches. Yet it wasn’t just his lack of goals that caught the attention of supporters — it was a minor breach of an old Arsenal rule that would once have drawn Wenger’s fury.
Gyökeres’ Goal Drought Continues
Gyökeres, who arrived at the Emirates this summer amid great expectations, once again led the line as Arsenal claimed victory over West Ham.
While his off-ball movement, pressing, and link-up play impressed, the 27-year-old couldn’t end his recent scoring slump, which now stretches to six games in all competitions.
The frustration was visible. Gyökeres had been desperate to find the net after a bright start to life in North London, but his luck in front of goal has waned despite consistent work rate and tactical discipline.
Arteta, however, remains steadfast in his support for the player.
“I just went there and hugged him and said thank you,” Arteta said after the win.
“The work he does is unbelievable for the team.”
It was a public show of faith — one that perhaps reflects Arteta’s understanding of the pressures that come with leading Arsenal’s frontline.
A Change of Shirt, A Break with Tradition
In a lighter moment that sparked nostalgia among long-time Arsenal fans, Gyökeres emerged for the second half of the match wearing a different shirt — switching from long sleeves to short sleeves midway through the game.
That minor adjustment might seem insignificant, but for those who remember the Arsène Wenger era, it marked a quiet break from a long-standing club tradition.
During Wenger’s 22-year reign, Arsenal adhered strictly to a uniform sleeve rule: whichever sleeve length the captain chose before kick-off, every player in the starting XI had to follow.
It was a symbolic gesture of unity — one of the many subtle hallmarks that defined the Frenchman’s attention to detail.
Under that system, Gyökeres’ half-time wardrobe change would have been strictly forbidden.
Wenger’s Sleeve Rule — A Hallmark of Unity
The tradition dates back decades, instilled under Wenger as part of Arsenal’s culture of professionalism and respect for collective identity.
In 2015, it even led to a public disagreement between Wenger and former midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who infamously cut the sleeves off his long-sleeved shirt before a Champions League match — directly contradicting his captain’s choice.
Wenger’s response at the time was firm:
“I do not like that, and he will not do that again,” he said. “We don’t want that.”
Flamini, never one to back down easily, replied defiantly:
“I’ve been playing at the top level for ten years. I like to wear short sleeves — that’s what I like to do.”
It was one of those small yet telling flashpoints that revealed just how deeply Wenger valued discipline and uniformity within his squads.
Arteta’s More Relaxed Approach
Times, however, have changed under Mikel Arteta.
While the Spaniard, a former Arsenal captain himself, has reintroduced many of the club’s classic values — structure, accountability, and pride in the badge — he has also fostered a more flexible, player-centric culture.
Gyökeres’ decision to change shirts went unpunished. In fact, he was not the only player to wear long sleeves that day.
New signing Martín Zubimendi and academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly also opted for the warmer kit option, suggesting that Arteta allows players to choose whatever makes them most comfortable.
It’s a small yet telling contrast between the two eras: Wenger’s Arsenal prioritised collective conformity, while Arteta’s Arsenal emphasises individual comfort in service of collective excellence.
Gyökeres’ Work Ethic Shines Despite Drought
Despite his continued search for goals, few can question Gyökeres’ impact on the team.
Since joining Arsenal, the Swede has become central to Arteta’s attacking system — a tireless presser, willing runner, and physically dominant forward capable of occupying entire backlines.
His ability to hold up play has opened space for creative outlets like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka to thrive, even when he hasn’t found the net himself.
Against West Ham, Gyökeres once again showed intelligence in his movement, pressing defenders high up the pitch and creating chances for teammates.
While the goals have dried up temporarily, the coaching staff remain confident that his hard work will soon be rewarded.
Arteta’s post-match comments made that clear:
“He gives us so much — the pressing, the duels, the runs behind. Sometimes strikers go through spells. What matters is that the team keeps winning.”
From Wenger’s Discipline to Arteta’s Empowerment
The small episode with Gyökeres’ shirt highlights a broader evolution at Arsenal — the shift from Wenger’s strict codes of conduct to Arteta’s modern management style.
Under Wenger, Arsenal were built on ideals of discipline, uniformity, and mutual respect, with traditions acting as symbolic threads binding the squad together.
Arteta, while sharing many of Wenger’s philosophies, blends that discipline with empathy and psychological insight.
His willingness to allow individuality, whether through sleeve choices or tactical improvisation, mirrors a more player-friendly approach that has become common among Europe’s elite coaches.
Arsenal’s Focus Remains Firmly on the Title Race
Beyond traditions and shirt choices, Arsenal’s victory over West Ham was crucial in the broader context of the Premier League title race.
The win, coupled with Liverpool’s slip-up earlier in the weekend, propelled the Gunners closer to the top of the table and reinforced their credentials as genuine contenders.
The triumph also came despite fitness concerns surrounding key players.
Captain Martin Ødegaard missed the match due to a minor knee issue, while Declan Rice briefly sparked concern after picking up a knock — though later reassured fans with a five-word message on social media: “All good, see you soon.”
Arteta praised his team’s resilience, describing the result as “a lot of learnings” and proof that Arsenal can grind out results even without some of their most influential figures.
Tradition Meets Transformation
While some older supporters may miss the visible unity of the sleeve tradition, few will begrudge Arteta’s flexible approach given Arsenal’s current trajectory.
The club’s modern identity is one of balance — respecting its rich past while adapting to the demands of the present.
As for Gyökeres, his decision to switch from long sleeves to short will likely be remembered as little more than a light-hearted anecdote — a reminder of how much the club has evolved since Wenger’s time.
Yet beneath the surface, it encapsulates the subtle ways Arteta has reshaped Arsenal’s culture: discipline without rigidity, unity without uniformity, and confidence without constraint.
What’s Next for Gyökeres?
For the Swedish forward, the focus now turns back to rediscovering his finishing touch.
Arsenal’s next fixtures present opportunities for him to end his drought, with Arteta expected to keep faith in his number nine.
Gyökeres’ work ethic and tactical intelligence have already earned him the respect of teammates and fans alike.
And if there’s one thing the Emirates crowd appreciates as much as goals, it’s commitment — something Gyökeres continues to deliver in abundance.
As Arsenal chase their first Premier League title since 2004, the striker’s contributions — sleeves up or down — could yet prove decisive.
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