Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres slammed for 'invisible' display in 'totally horrible' Sweden defeat

Viktor Gyokeres pictured during Sweden's clash against Kosovo. (Image: Photo by ARMEND NIMANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Viktor Gyokeres has been heavily criticised by the media following Sweden's defeat to Kosovo on Monday night. The Arsenal striker failed to score in each of his country's World Cup qualifiers this month, as Jon Dahl Tomasson's side picked up just one point from two games .

Last week, Sweden squandered a lead on two occasions against Slovenia - conceding an equaliser soon after the break and in stoppage time . Then, on Monday evening, Kosovo stormed past Tomasson's side, scoring twice in the first half.

With Alexander Isak starting on the bench in each of the qualifiers, having essentially missed pre-season, Sweden leaned on Gyokeres to step up to the plate . The Arsenal striker then crumbled under the pressure, and he failed to deliver in front of goal.

Expressen

"It's clear that he's not in his best form, his touch isn't quite there and Gyökeres often lost the ball," wrote Therese Stromberg and Linus Petersson for Expressen . "He did dig up a couple of half-chances in the first half, but it's not enough. This was a poor performance from the attacking star."

Fotbollskanalen

Fotbollskanalen said: "[Gyokeres] was one of the few who was acceptable in the first half. Fought and struggled and had the chances that Sweden got. Good interaction with Bernhardsson. Was invisible in the second half. Didn't get a lot to work with."

Svenska Dagbladet

"If the disappointment was great after the 2-2 draw against Slovenia, this was much worse," wrote Johan Lindberg for Svenska Dagbladet . "The 0-2 away defeat to Kosovo means that Sweden has a paltry point after two of six matches in the World Cup qualifiers.

"Without having faced group favourite Switzerland. The strange thing was that Sweden never really came close to getting into the game. The team stood there and stomped without getting any really hot chances.

"It didn't help that Liverpool star Alexander Isak finally came on and played the last 20 minutes. A small consolation is that the second place in the group gets a chance to qualify via a playoff and that it is also possible for Sweden to advance as third or fourth in the group."

ViaPlay

Speaking on ViaPlay at half-time - by which time Sweden were already 2-0 down - Ljungberg said: "It's just totally horrible, you might say. Disappointing. It was crystal clear from the start and we have huge problems, What the hell is going wrong?"