Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has imagined what playing against Viktor Gyokeres would be like.
The centre-back won six Premier League titles with Manchester United, among a list of other accolades many players would envy.
Ferdinand won the title in his first season at Man United, a feat that Gyokeres would love to emulate at Arsenal.
After Gyokeres had his best performance for Arsenal against Burnley, the Swede generated some well-overdue positive attention, as his suitability to the Premier League is becoming clearer and clearer.
Rio Ferdinand reveals how he’d defend against Viktor Gyokeres
Ferdinand analysed what unfolded on matchday ten of the Premier League season when speaking on his podcast.
Talking on the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, the now-retired defender shared an insight into how he’d approach the challenge of limiting Gyokeres.
Ferdinand admitted that there’d be a difference when defending against Gyokeres compared to other Premier League strikers.
“It’s different with him. Well, not different, but Arsenal were really kind of dominant, weren’t they? They were up against you, and they’re pinning you back,” Ferdinand explained.
The Premier League Hall of Fame member then walked through how he’d stop Gyokeres, likening the Swede to Erling Haaland.
“Listen, if someone physically, you don’t want them to pin you and get too tight. Him and Haaland, I’d let them take their first touch with their back to play. Let them take it, then hit them.
“I’m not fighting for that first touch, unless I feel it was a bad ball and I can get it. But once they take the first touch, I’m looking to hit them for the next touch. And always balancing off of them, pushing off of them.
“So they’re going that way and not the way they want to go, which is behind you.”
It’s not the first time that Gyokeres’s similarities to Haaland have been discussed, with the striker clearly a nightmare for defenders, just as the Manchester City dynamo is.
Former strikers know how much of a threat Gyokeres is
It’s high praise for Gyokeres to learn the lengths that the legendary defender would go to in order to cut off the 27-year-old’s threat.
Several teams have struggled to contain Gyokeres this season, Burnley being the latest.
A former top-level defender recognises the striker’s threat, which can also be said about those who used to play the position.
Alan Smith loves Gyokeres, as the former Arsenal striker gave a ‘glowing report’ about the summer signing.
Smith noted Gyokeres’ movement, strength and finishing ability when speaking to Lee Dixon about the centre-forward.
There are so many strings to Gyokeres’ bow, and at long last, he’s being recognised for them.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
