‘I Played With Viktor Gyokeres

One of Viktor Gyokeres’ former teammates has claimed the forward isn’t worth the £64 million Arsenal splashed on him and could flop in the Premier League ahead of this weekend’s opening fixtures. The Sweden international earned his big-money move after a prolific spell at Sporting Lisbon, where he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances and helped them to win back-to-back Portuguese league titles.

He’s one of the hottest topics heading into the new campaign, with the Gunners’ faithful long believing they’re just an out-and-out goalscorer away from ending a hoodoo stretching over two decades. Under Mikel Arteta, they’ve spent three straight seasons looking up at one other team in the final table – and hope Gyokeres is the man to finally tip the balance in their favour as they look to pip Manchester City and Liverpool to glory.

Yet Glenn Murray, who shared the Brighton & Hove Albion forward line with the 27-year-old between 2018 and 2021, told BBC Sport he believes the Swede might struggle to make the cut at the top level.

Glenn Murray Raises Concerns About Viktor Gyokeres

Strong, powerful, quick, and with a knack for finding the back of the net as if he’s memorised its location – Gyokeres, at first glance, looks every inch the frontman who could transform any attack into a title-chasing force. Yet Murray remains unconvinced, warning that the Swede might be “not the one” and could struggle to truly make the grade at the Emirates Stadium. He said:

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“I don’t think Viktor Gyokeres is the one – it’s such a big step. I was with him at Brighton and I never had him down to be a £64 million striker.

“When Ben White stepped into our first team, right away everyone knew how he good he was – he was of that standard. When Viktor came in, it was more a case where you thought he was all right. I am not sure he suits Arsenal’s style, either.”

As seen in the video above, Gyokeres is already off the mark for the Gunners, scoring a thumping header in a 3-0 pre-season friendly win over Athletic Bilbao. His sharp movement at the set-piece, followed by the sheer power to outmuscle his marker, makes for an encouraging watch for those pinning their hopes on the former Coventry City striker to fire them to glory.

If the Gunners fall short in their Premier League pursuit, it could well mean curtains for Mikel Arteta, who has received significant backing since taking charge in 2019. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard are just a few of the marquee signings brought in with silverware in mind over the last six years – yet in that time, only a solitary FA Cup has been lifted.