News
Viktor Gyokeres Told He Is Too Heavy As Arsenal Star Striker Faces Fitness Concerns
Arsenal’s £63.5 million summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has found himself in the middle of a storm — and not the kind he expected when he made his big Premier League return. Instead of headlines celebrating a dream move, the Swedish striker is battling concerns over his weight, fitness, adaptation, and overall readiness for the unforgiving pace of English football.
Signed from Sporting CP to usher in a new era of firepower at the Emirates, Gyokeres’ first few weeks have brought more questions than confidence. From the scorching Hong Kong debut to a worrying muscular injury, this has not been the smooth takeoff Arsenal fans imagined.
A Shaky Start For Arsenal’s New No. 9
Gyokeres arrived with a reputation as a powerful, late-blooming striker — one who reinvented himself after four quiet years at Brighton. His explosive numbers at Coventry and his dominance in Portugal convinced Arsenal to take the plunge. But a drawn-out transfer saga cost him valuable conditioning time.
His debut, a 1–0 loss to Spurs in Hong Kong, exposed the gaps. Gyokeres looked off-tempo, a step slower, and — as social media never fails to notice — “a little heavy.” Those whispers grew louder when he signaled discomfort and was substituted at halftime against Burnley, despite scoring the opening goal.
Mikel Arteta didn’t hide his concern.
“He hasn’t had many muscular issues … that’s never a good sign for a very explosive player.”
And the alarm bells have continued to ring.
Schwarz: Mental Fatigue + Physical Weight = Tough Start
Former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz gave perhaps the bluntest assessment yet. Speaking with Hajper, he suggested the problems run deeper than just a minor injury.
“I believe Viktor Gyokeres is not fully fit yet … it’s not just physical, but also mental tiredness from adapting to new expectations.”
Schwarz believes the striker’s struggles are a mix of:
-
Fitness levels not yet at Premier League standards
-
Psychological strain of a huge move
-
Learning Arteta’s fast, demanding attacking system
-
Needing time to build on-field chemistry
Still, he remains optimistic about the long-term picture — if Gyokeres tightens up physically.
“He’s A Heavy Player… He Needs To Get A Bit Lighter”
Schwarz didn’t sugarcoat the fitness issue.
“He’s a heavy player. I think getting a bit lighter would help.”
He added the classic line:
“Sometimes the dog who barks loudest is not always the strongest.”
In simple terms — the Premier League is faster, more physical, more intense. And Gyokeres needs to shed a few kilos, sharpen up, and hit the conditioning levels required to survive weekly battles with defenders who move like sprinters and tackle like wrestlers.
Schwarz also emphasized the importance of a proper pre-season — something Gyokeres didn’t really get.
The Bigger Picture: Will Gyokeres Come Good?
Despite the noise, Gyokeres is in the perfect environment to thrive:
-
A tactically elite manager
-
A squad overflowing with creativity
-
Competition that keeps him sharp
-
A system built for aggressive, goal-hungry strikers
He may not play every match immediately, but once his fitness catches up, he will be dangerous. Schwarz believes the partnership between Arsenal and Gyokeres will flourish — and even benefit Sweden and Graham Potter in the long run.
After all, his finishing ability is proven. His work rate is elite. And his mentality is top-tier.
But the Premier League is a beast.
And right now, that beast is asking him to lighten the load — literally
News
Arne Slot Confirms Mohamed Salah Is ‘Always In My Mind’ Amid Liverpool Absence
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has addressed the speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah, admitting that the Egypt forward is “always in my mind” despite being left out of the last two starting line-ups.
Salah, 33, has had a slow start to the Premier League season, scoring just four goals, and has played only 45 minutes across the last two games. The forward’s omission from the starting XI has sparked talk of a potential Saudi Pro League move, though Salah recently signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April.
Slot Explains Salah Situation
“I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us,” Slot said. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.”
Salah played a starring role last season, scoring 29 goals as Liverpool lifted the Premier League in Slot’s first campaign. However, he was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at West Ham and again came off the bench in the 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.
Slot acknowledged the chatter around Salah’s absence, saying:
“The chatter, yes because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me and six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing.”
Van Dijk Weighs In
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also commented, highlighting that no player at the club has “unlimited credit”:
“He is still a fantastic player and we still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club and we have to respect that. I need him around as one of the leaders. He’s disappointed but that’s absolutely normal. It’s always been the case that no one is undroppable.”
This statement underscores the high standards at Liverpool, even for one of their most prolific stars.
Liverpool’s Current Form
The Reds are currently ninth in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, having won just two of their nine league games. Salah’s presence will be crucial as Liverpool look to regain momentum, with their next game set against Leeds United.
While fans debate Salah’s place in the squad, both Slot and Van Dijk emphasize that he remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Want To Advertise With Us?
Reach millions of sports fans across Africa.
📩 Contact: sales@ventolitemarketing.com
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
-
United lost control after scoring
-
They failed to win second balls
-
They should have killed the match earlier
-
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
Want To Advertise With Us?
Email: sales@ventolitemarketing.com
Local News
Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
-
David Beckham
-
Zinedine Zidane
-
Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
-
“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
-
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
-
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
-
Upgraded comfort
-
Subtle structural refinement
-
Increased responsiveness
-
Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
Want To Advertise With Us?
-
In The Other News3 days agoDollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, December 2, 2025
-
Premier League1 day agoArne Slot Explains Bold Salah Decision As Liverpool Drop Points Against Sunderland
-
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE2 days agoChampions League Top Scorers 2025-26: Mbappe, Haaland, Osimhen Lead The Golden Boot Race
-
Serie A3 days agoDele Alli Sent Trial Warning After Scary Fall From Grace As Ex-Tottenham Midfielder Faces Slim Opportunities
-
LaLiga3 days agoStop the Messi Comparisons: Yamal Faces Dangerous Pressure
-
World Cup 20262 days agoFIFA To Expand VAR Rules For The 2026 World Cup With New Corner-Kick Reviews
-
AFCON 20252 days agoAFCON 2025: Chelle Names 5 Misfiring Strikers in Super Eagles 54-Man List
-
Local News17 hours agoWilliam Troost-Ekong Bows Out: An Emotional Farewell That Shakes Up The Super Eagles Camp