Erling Haaland has reportedly offered timely advice to Viktor Gyökeres as the Swedish striker begins life at Arsenal, with the Manchester City star sharing insights on how to adapt quickly and start scoring goals consistently in the Premier League.
With expectations already high following Gyökeres’ arrival, Haaland’s words are understood to have focused on mentality, movement, and efficiency inside the box — areas that have made the Norwegian one of the most prolific forwards in world football.
Gyökeres’ move to Arsenal was greeted with excitement by supporters who believe the former Sporting CP striker has the physicality, intelligence, and finishing ability to lead Mikel Arteta’s attack. However, the Premier League is an unforgiving environment, and history is littered with talented forwards who struggled to adapt. Haaland, who exploded onto the English scene almost instantly, is said to have stressed the importance of simplifying the game in the early weeks rather than trying to impress with overly elaborate play.
According to sources close to the situation, Haaland’s first piece of advice to Gyökeres was about positioning. The City striker reportedly told him that goals at the top level are often decided by small movements rather than spectacular moments. Being half a yard ahead of a defender, attacking the near post with conviction, or holding back just long enough for a cut-back can be the difference between a quiet game and a decisive one. Haaland himself has built his scoring record on ruthless positioning, and he believes Gyökeres has the physical profile to do the same at Arsenal.
Another key point Haaland emphasized was patience. Arsenal’s attacking structure under Arteta is built around control, fluidity, and collective responsibility. Chances may not always come in waves, especially early on, and Haaland reportedly warned Gyökeres not to let frustration creep in if goals do not arrive immediately. Instead, he encouraged him to focus on making the right runs, occupying centre-backs, and trusting that the chances will follow. For Haaland, staying mentally calm has been just as important as technical quality.
Haaland is also understood to have spoken about adapting to Arsenal’s wide players. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard providing service from the flanks, Gyökeres will often be asked to attack deliveries at speed. Haaland’s advice was simple: commit fully to every run. Even if the ball does not arrive, those movements stretch defences, create space for midfield runners, and eventually force defenders into mistakes. Over time, those same defenders start to anticipate danger, giving the striker an edge.
Pressing and work rate were also part of the conversation. While Gyökeres is known for his strength and aggression, Haaland reportedly highlighted the importance of pressing intelligently rather than relentlessly. Arsenal’s system demands coordinated pressure, and winning the ball high up the pitch can often lead to the easiest goals. Haaland believes that some of his most important goals have come not from open play build-up, but from capitalising on defensive errors forced by pressure.
Perhaps most interestingly, Haaland is said to have advised Gyökeres to embrace criticism and noise around him. Arsenal is a club where scrutiny is constant, and a new striker is always judged primarily on goals. Haaland reportedly told him that external pressure never truly disappears, even when you are scoring freely. The key, he suggested, is to measure success by performance rather than headlines — if the work is right, the goals will follow.
For Arsenal, Gyökeres’ adaptation will be crucial in their pursuit of major honours. The club has often been accused of lacking a clinical edge in decisive moments, and the Swedish forward has been brought in to address exactly that issue. Haaland’s advice, coming from a striker who has dominated the league, could prove invaluable as Gyökeres looks to settle quickly and assert himself.
There is also a symbolic element to this exchange. Haaland and Gyökeres represent a new generation of powerful, modern centre-forwards who combine physical dominance with intelligence and efficiency. If Gyökeres can apply even part of Haaland’s approach — sharp movement, mental clarity, and ruthless finishing — Arsenal may finally have the striker capable of turning close games into victories.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how quickly Gyökeres begins to score in red and white. If Haaland’s guidance resonates, Arsenal fans may soon see their new striker finding the net with the same calm assurance that has made the Manchester City star a benchmark for excellence in the Premier League.