Viktor Gyokeres claims he’s better than any striker ever in one area, it speaks volumes

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After a protracted saga, Arsenal finally secured the signing of Viktor Gyokeres for £63 million in late July.

The Gunners had chased the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins for some time, but eventually settled on the Swede after reaching an agreement on a reasonable fee with Sporting CP.

Gyokeres made his Arsenal debut in Hong Kong with a short cameo against Tottenham, before playing against both Villarreal and Athletic Club at the Emirates over the last week.

Scoring his first goal in red and white against the latter Spanish side, the 27-year-old is now in line to make his competitive debut in a Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

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Viktor Gyokeres claims he’s better at hold-up play than any striker ever

Netting 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, Gyokeres has been recognised for these astounding exploits with a Ballon d’Or nomination.

Boasting exceptional movement in and around the box, the former Coventry City man lit up the Primeira Liga in his two years in Portugal.

However, there are some concerns about how his form might translate to the more physically intense Premier League.

Micah Richards has expressed concern about Gyokeres’ hold-up play, feeling the striker often struggles to pin defenders using his first touch and strength.

While Richards feels this is an area of the player’s game he could improve in, Gyokeres himself does not echo these sentiments.

In fact, the Sweden international named himself when asked by the Arsenal social media team who he’d pick for this specific attribute, when building the ‘perfect striker’.

Naming the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Suarez in other categories, Gyokeres said: “Who’s good at hold-up play? I’ll say me, then.”

Viktor Gyokeres’ answer speaks volumes about his mentality

While laughing as he cited himself, with this comment clearly made somewhat in jest, it also highlights the player’s self-belief.

This has been a consistent theme throughout the pieces of media that have been released of Gyokeres since his arrival in N5.

Possessing something of a clinical outlook on football, the prolific number nine has the mentality required to achieve big things in the game, and Mikel Arteta will no doubt have admired that about the player before signing him.

Ironically, Gyokeres’ hold-up play can occasionally leave a little bit to be desired, with other aspects of his game arguably much stronger.

The ex-Brighton man is outstanding at making penetrative runs in behind and getting shots off inside the box, but isn’t the most adept forward at holding off a defender and bringing others into the game.

While far from a weakness, like Richards alluded to, it is an area of his game which could improve, and should improve with some elite coaching at Arsenal.