Arsenal’s priority in the summer transfer window will be a new striker.
The Gunners have repeatedly failed to bring in a centre-forward in previous windows. Mikel Arteta pleaded for a new striker in January, but the board let him down.
There will be no excuses in the summer – Arsenal will have to sign a new striker, and a number of names have been linked with a move to the Emirates.
Rio Ferdinand, however, is not at all convinced by one striker who is rumoured to be a target for Arsenal.
Rio Ferdinand delivers brutal verdict on Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres has been one of the most prolific strikers on the planet since the start of last season.
The Swede scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists for Sporting CP in the 2023/24 season, and he has already scored 39 and assisted nine this campaign.
Those are some serious numbers for a striker, and that has made him one of Europe’s most wanted forwards ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal have been linked with a move to sign Gyokeres, but Ferdinand feels the Sporting star won’t be able to deliver in the Premier League.
The Manchester United legend, who knows a thing or two about coming up against great forwards, just can’t see how Gyokeres will score many goals in England.
While discussing which striker Arsenal can sign, Ferdinand said on his podcast: “I don’t think he’s the guy, Gyokeres, for me.
“I’ve not watched him loads, I’ve watched him probably three times really, really closely, and three times I’ve gone [shakes his head] ‘he isn’t getting that opportunity in the Premier League’.
“When I see him physically matched, I don’t see what else is there then. That’s the question I’m asking. Is there enough after he’s physically matched to be able to get him a goal?”
How did Gyokeres fare in his Arsenal audition?
Arsenal faced Sporting CP in the Champions League earlier in the season, and Gyokeres played the full 90 minutes in that game.
The 26-year-old failed to score a goal but ended up causing a few problems to Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba in transition.
That was interesting to see, but we can’t help but agree with Ferdinand here – we can’t see how he will dominate in Arsenal’s colours because most teams will deploy a low block and sit deep.
Gyokeres is an ‘incredible’ striker when he has space in transition, but it would be a big gamble to play him against teams that park the bus.
Ferdinand is right, Arsenal should look elsewhere this summer.
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