'Very proud and happy' - Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres speaks out after beating off competition from Liverpool's Alexander Isak to land top award

Gyokeres has been named Sweden’s best striker of 2025 by the Swedish Football Federation, securing the award for a third consecutive year. The Arsenal forward finished ahead of Liverpool striker Isak and Celtic's Benjamin Nygren, underlining the scale of his achievements across the calendar year, despite his struggles at Arsenal.

The award recognises Gyokeres’ outstanding first half of the calendar year at Sporting, where he continued his prolific scoring streak and helped deliver domestic success, before completing a high-profile transfer to Arsenal in the summer. His overall contribution across the two leagues was viewed as decisive in the voting process.

In announcing the winner, the Swedish Football Federation highlighted Gyokeres’ consistency, physical dominance and influence in decisive moments. His combination of goal output and all-round play was considered to have set him apart from strong competition.

Reflecting on the recognition, Gyokeres described the past year as one of constant change and major milestones. "It has been a year full of events," he said, pointing to the contrast between his final months in Portugal and the challenge of settling into a new environment in England.

He also looked back fondly on the success he enjoyed before leaving Sporting. "We won the league and the cup with Sporting and it was incredible to be part of history," Gyokeres explained, acknowledging the significance of those trophies in shaping his season and reputation.

Turning his attention to the present, the striker expressed pride in receiving the award. "Then, the transfer to Arsenal, being in this environment and playing here is fantastic. I am very proud and happy with the award. I will take many positive things with me from this year," he concluded.

Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!

Gyokeres’ gong comes despite a challenging transition period following his move to Arsenal. The Sweden international arrived in north London after a sensational spell in Portugal, where he scored close to 100 goals across two seasons and established himself as one of Europe’s most feared forwards.

Expectations were naturally high following his arrival, especially given Arsenal’s desire to add a physical, high-output striker to lead the line. While his impact in England has been more measured, his overall body of work in 2025 has remained impossible to ignore.

The comparison with Isak has added further intrigue, with both Swedish forwards completing major Premier League transfers in the summer, and both have experienced adaptation challenges. However, Gyokeres’ extraordinary output in the first half of the year, combined with silverware and individual honours, proved decisive in separating the two.

For Gyokeres, the focus now shifts firmly to the second half of his debut season at Arsenal. The striker will be keen to translate the form that defined his Sporting career into consistent Premier League performances as he continues to adapt to Mikel Arteta’s tactical demands.

While the immediate pressure remains on his performances in England, the recognition serves as a reminder of the calibre Arsenal have acquired. If Gyokeres can marry his proven goal-scoring instincts with greater fluency in his new surroundings, 2026 could yet prove even more rewarding.