Rio Ferdinand makes Viktor Gyokeres prediction for once he signs for Arsenal, ‘yes he can…’

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Arsenal’s search for a new number nine appears to be coming towards a conclusion.

Arsenal look set to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, and this deal could be a gamechanger for the Gunners.

Viktor Gyokeres has been tipped to succeed at Arsenal, however, one man who has always been sceptical about the striker is Rio Ferdinand.

Indeed, Ferdinand has often questioned Gyokeres, but speaking on his YouTube channel, the pundit has now changed his tune slightly.

The pundit now says that Gyokeres has what it takes to be a success and score goals for Arsenal, but he says it does still remain to be seen whether or not he can actually do it.

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Rio Ferdinand makes Viktor Gyokeres prediction

Ferdinand shared his verdict on Gyokeres and what will happen if he signs for Arsenal.

The pundit says that he doesn’t think Gyokeres would’ve been the right signing for Manchester United after United were linked with Gyokeres, but he thinks he could well be a top player for Arsenal.

“Just to kind of clear this up, we were talking about him being right for Man United. My concern was that United need a striker with experience. He’s been phenomenal in the Portuguese League, but United need something different. Can he go to Arsenal and be a success? Yes he can, can he go to Arsenal and score goals? Yes he can. Will he go to Arsenal and score goals? That remains to be seen,” Ferdinand said.

“It’s like with any signing, did we think Isak would go to Newcastle and do what he’s done, we weren’t 100% sure, and I think we will be the same with Gyokeres. What I would say is Arsenal need a number nine, they need someone who can go in there and score goals. I think the Arsenal faithful will be delighted and rightly so that they’ve got someone who has shown they can score goals

“I think he’s more right for Arsenal than he is for Man United, that’s my point with Gyokeres, so watch this space.”

Best Premier League strikers from smaller European leagues

Ferdinand has his reservations about Gyokeres due to the standard of the Portuguese League, and he is right to have those concerns.

A number of strikers have arrived in England from smaller European leagues only to struggle, but, then again, we have seen other strikers arrive from lesser leagues only to shine in England.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, Luis Suarez and Robin van Persie are Premier League greats who originated from the Eredivisie, while Raul Jimenez has been a reliable goalscorer in England for a long time after arriving from Benfica.

Christian Benteke also scored plenty of goals after arriving from the Belgian League, as did Romelu Lukaku.

Just because a player is arriving from a smaller league doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t have a huge impact in English football, and Gyokeres will be hoping to do just that.