Every title race tells its own story, and for Arsenal this season, their defensive strength steals the spotlight. Mikel Arteta’s side turned discipline into their sharpest weapon, stopping attacks and frustrating opponents with strong organisation.
They don’t try to score heavily; they win by keeping control of matches. That steady rhythm shapes their campaign and defines how Viktor Gyokeres, the club’s headline summer signing, fits into the bigger picture.
Arsenal’s steel at the back shifts the pressure away from Gyokeres
According to Football Insider, Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier believes Arsenal’s defence stays so solid that even a modest scoring rate from Gyokeres can be enough. He told the outlet that if their backline stays fit, one goal might often secure three points.
“I think that defensive solidity gives you a great base. If you go into a game thinking, ‘Do you know what? If we score one, we’ll probably win this game,’ that’s a great mindset to get into.”
“And then you don’t really need a 20-goal-a-season striker. You can get away with it as long as people are chipping in from all sorts of places in midfield as well.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Arsenal continue to be this solid. Even if Gyokeres only gets a dozen goals and you’ve got the midfielders chipping in with seven, eight and nine goals, you can get away with it.”
The statement sounds bold, but it matches how Arsenal play through the early months of 2025-26. The north Londoners sit top of the league even though their Swedish forward has scored only three times in nine games.
His work rate stands out, but he lost his finishing touch since mid-September. Le Tissier said that if Arsenal’s midfielders keep scoring regularly, the team can even break Chelsea’s record for the fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season.
Does Arsenal really need more from Gyokeres?
Le Tissier makes a fair point, but his view doesn’t tell the whole story. Arsenal keep their balance because every player understands the system, but teams rarely win titles without a striker who delivers in big moments. Gyokeres joined from Sporting CP after scoring 68 goals in two seasons, and that scoring instinct still drives him.
His start looks quiet, but Arsenal show patience with him because they value his link-up play and movement as much as his finishing. Still, in tight games against top rivals, one decisive goal often separates champions from challengers.
More News:
By late October 2025, Arsenal have conceded only six goals in ten league matches, which is an outstanding record that supports Le Tissier’s claim. However, defensive form often fades during the long winter stretch. Arteta will expect Gyokeres to find his scoring rhythm before that happens, not because the defence fails to cope, but because the Premier League punishes teams that waste chances.
If the Swede adds consistency without losing his selfless play, Arsenal’s title chase will feel less like a grind and more like destiny. The defence wins them games, but the striker decides how the season ends.
