Having walked the walk as a striker in the Premier League, Charlie Austin has revealed his honest thoughts on Viktor Gyokeres’ start at Arsenal.
Gyokeres scored 97 goals in two seasons for Sporting CP, but the Gunners haven’t seen anything close to those numbers yet.
The Swede has scored only three non-penalty goals in the Premier League since making the £64m move to Arsenal, and fans are becoming frustrated.
There was hope that the 27-year-old would arrive to become Mikel Arteta’s answer to Erling Haaland, but 21 games in, Gyokeres is being told to learn from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
It’s been a tough start for the striker, whose luck could soon run out as Arsenal have players returning to offer competition.
Fill in the blank: Viktor Gyokeres is now worth £___m following his start to life at Arsenal…
Arsenal paid £63m in the summer…
Charlie Austin says Viktor Gyokeres would be fuming if Mikel Merino started ahead of him
It’s already understood that Kai Havertz is Arteta’s preferred striker, making the German’s return quite daunting for Gyokeres.
The idea of being dropped from the starting XI is to be expected, however, as Charlie Austin explained on Sky Sports News.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s blockbuster against Aston Villa, Austin admitted that if he were Arteta, he’d start Mikel Merino over Gyokeres.
Who should Mikel Arteta start up front for Arsenal against Aston Villa? 🤔
Gyokeres, Jesus, Merino or Havertz
“The standout one for me that is always there is Merino. Whenever he’s asked to do a job up front, he scores; he performs for the team,” Austin said.
“When Gyokeres is up there at the moment, it’s just not clicking for some reason; he’s going to take time to find his form.”
The host then put the following question to Austin, who made 111 Premier League appearances as a striker.
“If you were a striker like Gyokeres or Jesus, how furious would you be if a central midfielder starts ahead of you?”
Austin’s reply was as honest as they come.
“I’d be raging, I’d be fuming. From the outside looking in, absolutely [start Merino], because them two aren’t doing it, of course, Gabriel Jesus has been injured.”
Merino is arguably Arsenal’s best goalscoring option at centre-forward, which is alarming, given that the Spaniard is a central midfielder by trade.
Austin says Gyokeres isn’t good enough
Competition with Merino is nothing that Gyokeres shouldn’t expect, as per the opinion of Austin.
The former Southampton talisman weighed in on the Sweden international’s start in the Premier League, stating that despite the jump from the Liga Portugal to the English top flight, he’s not doing enough.
If you could give one advice to Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal right now, what would it be?
“Gyokeres hasn’t been doing it, five Premier League goals?” Austin said.
The host replied, “It’s not that bad a start, is it?”
“For £60m+? I’m going to say yes, it is,” Austin responded, giving his honest thoughts on Gyokeres’ start to life at Arsenal.
“He hasn’t done enough to start. If you are a goalscorer and you’re brought in to put the ball in the net, let’s be real, one in three for a player who plays in a team who creates that many chances, a team at the top of the Premier League? That’s not good enough.”
Unfortunately, discourse surrounding Gyokeres will remain doubtful until he finds a way to consistently put the ball in the back of the net for the Gunners.
The best way to create a redemption arc would be against Aston Villa, but in Austin’s eyes, the striker would be fortunate to be trusted with a start.
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