Manchester Unite manager Ruben Amorim has sent an early warning to Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has cautioned new Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres that he will face a very different test in the Premier League compared to his time in Portugal.
The Gunners travel to Old Trafford on Sunday in a highly anticipated clash that pits Amorim against the forward he once nurtured at Sporting CP. Gyokeres enjoyed a prolific spell under the Portuguese coach, sparking talk of a potential reunion at United before he opted to join Arsenal this summer.
The Sweden international could make his debut against his former boss in the blockbuster fixture.
“It’s a different league,” Amorim said when asked about Gyokeres. “The physicality is different. At Sporting, they have a very good group of scouting because they live from that, buying players and then selling to survive.
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres
“I think he is a very good player, and he is going to give different characteristics. It is going to be different if we face Viktor or Kai Havertz, for example, so we need to be prepared. But it’s not a surprise to see Viktor at a big club in England.”
Amorim, however, expressed confidence in his United side, insisting optimism has returned just three months after the club’s worst top-flight campaign in over half a century ended with a Europa League final defeat.
Despite Amorim’s warning, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes Gyokeres will thrive under the right conditions. “We want to do everything, first of all, understanding the player and exposing him to the conditions where he can fulfil his incredible potential,” Arteta said.
“The key is creating the right context for Viktor to do what he does best, which is to score goals. Many strikers from different leagues have come to the Premier League and succeeded, and we believe he can do the same.”
All eyes will now be on Old Trafford as Gyokeres looks to make an immediate impact against his former mentor in what promises to be one of the defining fixtures of the opening weeks of the season.