Viktor Gyokeres is a name well known at Arsenal as a point of admiration for his form at Sporting CP.
The Swedish striker is a figure many clubs in Europe dream of acquiring, with Gyokeres generating interest from Arsenal.
Before his swift departure, Edu Gaspar sounded Gyokeres out as a target for the Gunners, who are in desperate need of a reliable number nine.
Arsenal come up against the Sporting CP talisman on match day five of the Champions League campaign, with an early warning sent to those who will attempt to contain him.
Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown approve of Viktor Gyokeres
There are very few in world football right now who doubt Gyokeres’ potential, given that the striker has netted 24 goals in 2024/25 already.
To put into perspective just how clinical the Sweden international is, that’s more goals than Arsenal have scored as a collective in the Premier League after 12 games played.
Mikel Arteta refused to comment on Gyokeres prior to Arsenal’s meeting with Sporting CP however, the marksman’s presence is becoming impossible to ignore.
Speaking on TNT Sports prior to kick off, pundits Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown waxed lyrical about the former Coventry City forward.
“I think he’ll [Gyokeres] be difficult to play against as a centre-back. Me and Martin [Keown] were talking about pace and pace scares defenders and he’s a willing runner,” Ferdinand explained.
“His willingness to run into these areas [the channels], these areas are hard yards for defenders having to go out there.
“Once he’s out there, that’s where he does his dirty work, he doesn’t mind getting dirty with a shoulder-to-shoulder, his strength, his drive, he’s quick, he’s aggressive but then he has the composure as well.”
Ferdinand’s high praise of the in-form goalscorer was echoed by Keown, who likened the 26-year-old to Liverpool icon Ian Rush.
“He’s aggressive, it’s aggressive running with and without the ball, he presses really well, I liken him to an Ian Rush for those of you young enough or old enough to remember him.
“Honestly, the amount of pressure he would put you under was ridiculous and finding the back of the net with good consistency this season as well.”
Arsenal told why Gyokeres must be targetted
Right now, the consensus in European football is something along the lines of Erling Haaland walked, so Gyokeres could run.
Gyokeres has been compared to Haaland, reinforcing just what Arteta could have in his squad if he were to strike a deal for the goal machine.
The Arsenal squad will have to put dreaming of having the Swede on hold momentarily, as the Gunners prepare to come up against the Sporting superstar.
David Raya shared his verdict on Gyokeres pre-match, stating just how much concentration his teammates will have to put in to keep the talisman at bay.
Fans and surely players at the Emirates will be dreaming of the reliable goal-getter arriving in North London in the summer, something that will be difficult as he continues to leave Europe spellbound.
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