Viktor Gyokeres can count his first season in an Arsenal shirt as a success and he’ll be desperate to end the campaign with a trophy.
Gyokeres broke past the 20 goal mark with his double against Fulham this weekend and he continues to go from strength to strength.
Right now, Arsenal need all the goals they can get from their main striker but also, he’s contributing in other ways too.
Indeed, according to Tony Cascarino, Gyokeres is reminding him more and more of Arsenal legend, Alan Smith.
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Gyokeres seems to be hitting form at just the right time and he’s going to be crucial, especially with Kai Havertz injured once again.
However, aside from his goals, former striker Tony Cascarino has highlighted why Gyokeres is now showing signs of being like former Arsenal man Alan Smith.
“Gyokeres has got great numbers. He reminds me…he did something in the game yesterday that impressed me,” Cascarino said.
“The great Alan Smith. He was one of the best leaders of the line I ever saw in the decades I played football. A great leader of the line. He wasn’t the ultimate goal scorer, ball came in and he always kept it and he did that yesterday, Gyokeres, and now he’s added goals.
“Smith wasn’t the greatest Arsenal striker ever. When you look at a Thierry Henry or a Robin van Persie, but he was a great foil for everyone else. And I thought yesterday Gyokeres showed why Arsenal spent a lot of money on him.
“He’s got 25 goals for club and country. All comps he’s got 21 for Arsenal. That’s decent numbers. I think he’s improved. Not in numbers like at Sporting Lisbon. And the Premier League is a bigger challenge, we see that with players who come up from the Championship.”
Smith scored 115 goals in his time as an Arsenal player but as Cascarino says, he was more known for his relentless energy and willingness to compete up top.
Crucially, Smith was also part of two title-winning teams. That is what the difference is and sometimes, it doesn’t matter how you contribute, it’s about helping your team over the line.
Gyokeres can be happy with his first season. And if he’s being compared to Smith, then he’s doing something right.
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