Having played a starring role in Arsenal’s unbeaten side of 2003/04, Lauren knows exactly what it takes to win the Premier League.
The Arsenal legend has full faith that the Gunners will win the league this season for the first time since he lifted the trophy at Highbury.
Though the Cameroonian was one of the less spoken about Invincibles, around North London, Lauren is considered one of the most underrated players to have ever worn the cannon.
Despite having been retired for 15 years now, Lauren remains close to the action, following this season, which he believes could be special for his former club.
Lauren says people need to stop comparing Viktor Gyokeres to other Arsenal strikers
Lauren recently featured on talkSPORT, where he spoke to his former teammate Ray Parlour.
During the discussion, the Invincible defender commented on Arsenal’s squad depth, drawing attention to Viktor Gyokeres.
The verdict is still out on Gyokeres, but Lauren firmly believes that the 27-year-old was the perfect capture for the Gunners.
“We’ve got Gyokeres, a striker that we’ve been dreaming for every single year because we didn’t have that kind of striker,” he began.
“His work rate is unbelievable, he’s pressing [in the] centre, is pressing in the middle, he comes to the left-hand side and attacks the spaces in order to score a goal. We need that kind of guy.”
Like many others have done, Lauren praised Gyokeres’ energy when pressing, but he then urged for one narrative surrounding the striker to change.
“You need Gyokeres, I mean, he’s going to score goals, but we have to avoid comparison.”
Gyokeres has been compared to many players, both past and present, but Lauren believes that his talent needs to be left to flourish as it is, rather than be limited to comparisons.
Gyokeres could be about to become an instant Arsenal hero
With Henry as Arsenal’s record goalscorer and wearing the Frenchman’s iconic number 14, it’s unsurprising that comparisons between Gyokeres and others are being made.
The Swede has plenty of time to try and emulate Henry’s scoring success, but what he can do very soon is follow in the Arsenal legend’s footsteps.
Gyokeres is set to return from injury after the international break, just in time for the North London Derby.
If the striker were to score against Tottenham, he’d do something Henry grew fond of, which was causing the Lilywhites’ misery.
Henry never lost to Spurs during his career in North London and in the process, scored five goals against Arsenal’s biggest rivals.
Gyokeres could become an instant hero in N5 if he returns and scores against Thomas Frank’s side, something the summer signing will already be thinking about.
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