Viktor Gyokeres is now just days away from making his competitive debut for Arsenal in the Premier League.
In pre-season, Viktor Gyokeres has played three times – twice as a starter at the Emirates, and once as a substitute in Asia.
And whilst it’s difficult to take too much from his short cameo against Tottenham Hotspur, Gyokeres has looked seriously promising back in N5.
Gyokeres scored a brilliant header against Athletic Bilbao, and the Swede’s ability in the air was actually supposed to be one of his weaknesses.
But the striker has had his doubters, Robbie Fowler thinks Gyokeres might score fewer goals than Joao Pedro at Chelsea for example.
And one of the striker’s biggest tasks will be to overcome the scrutiny he’s subjected to back in England.
Ian Wright doesn’t care if Mikel Arteta wanted Viktor Gyokeres or not
That being said, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now responded to an intriguing question regarding Gyokeres’ arrival at the Emirates – whether he was actually the striker Mikel Arteta wanted.
Paul Scholes questioned if Arteta wanted Gyokeres recently, and there was the feeling throughout the summer that Benjamin Sesko was Arsenal’s first-choice.
That being said, Gary Neville asked Wright on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast whether he thought Gyokeres was really the number nine Arteta was pushing to sign.
Wright then replied: “You know something, you have to, everybody looks at his journey up to this point and the levels and stuff like that.
“I think that Mikel, if you’re a manager, I don’t know how many windows it is that we haven’t signed a striker for, but you’re going to have some apprehension about what you’re thinking and what’s going to happen, because obviously Sesko was in the mix as well, whether he was going to come or not.
Viktor Gyokeres during Arsenal's pre-season training.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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“But I’m not fussed about how Mikel felt about him, in fact, I’m glad that he’s there, because when you listen to Gyokeres, and you listen to even Mark Robins talking about, every time he trained, what he saw from him was somebody that looked like he’s in a hurry. I need to get this done.
“And when you look at his career with all the teams he’s been with, everyone he’s gone to, he’s done it. He’s got to that next place and scored the goals.”
Neville interjected: “Should be really hungry, shouldn’t he?”
Wright: “I think he is hungry, and he’s come to the place right now where we need him.
“He looks very calm, so hopefully he can be the one, because I think whether Mikel wanted him or not, I think that his attitude and his determination to want to do it is exactly what we need now.”
Kai Havertz might be favourite to start for Arsenal against Man United
Of course, Wright is spot on in his verdict that it ultimately now doesn’t matter if Arteta wanted Gyokeres or not – the striker is ready to help Arsenal win trophies regardless.
Although, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Swede didn’t immediately start at Old Trafford.
Theo Walcott thinks Arsenal will start Kai Havertz on Sunday, and perhaps a more familiar line-up would make sense against a much changed United side.
Familiarity could work in Arteta’s favour against a Rubem Amorim side that essentially has a whole new attack.
And then Gyokeres could perhaps make his first competitive start for Arsenal the following weekend against Leeds United in the Premier League.
It’s a brilliant problem for Arteta to have, and whether he would have preferred Sesko or not, Arsenal have a superb striker at their disposal in Gyokeres.