Glenn Murray says Arsenal already have a £50m player who’s actually better than Viktor Gyokeres

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Glenn Murray is already having doubts about how much of an impact Viktor Gyokeres will have at Arsenal.

The striker completed a highly anticipated move from Sporting CP to the Emirates this summer, a deal worth £64m.

It was a terrific deal by Arsenal, who have acquired a striker capable of scoring 97 goals over the previous two domestic seasons. 

Despite the 27-year-old’s clear goal threat, there are reservations about Gyokeres, all relating to whether he’s able to replicate what he did in Portugal in England. 

Glenn Murray doubts Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres

The Liga Portugal is not considered to be one of Europe’s top five leagues, leading to doubts about Arsenal’s new striker’s suitability to arguably the best league in the world.

Comparisons between Darwin Nunez and Gyokeres have been formed, with pundits wondering whether the Swede really has what it takes to be Arsenal’s marksman. 

Alarmingly, one figure who has his doubts is a former teammate of the forward.

Taking to a BBC Sport column to give his prediction for the upcoming season, Glenn Murray admitted that he doesn’t believe Gyokeres is ‘the one’. 

“I don’t think 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 £64m striker,” Murray said.

What came next was eye-opening from the perspective of a former player, as Murray told the story of how differently Gyokeres and Ben White were viewed at Brighton. 

“When Ben White stepped into our first team, right away, everyone knew how 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.”

The 41-year-old thinks Arsenal’s £50m capture of White was completely justified due to the player’s quality, but regrettably, doesn’t view Gyokeres in the same light.

Gyokeres has a lot of questions to answer

Murray’s view is a brutal one, but it only gives Gyokeres a greater incentive to strive for more. 

It’s well-documented that the forward is a slow burner, reaching the peak of his career after 25, while the majority hit the ground running years before.

All that the Sweden international can do is score goals to strengthen his case against his doubters, with the early opinion from his former teammate resoundingly harsh before he’s even made his competitive debut for Arsenal.

All eyes will be on Gyokeres this season because he boasts such a superior scoring ability, with the striker and doubters having a lot to answer for over the next year.