Wayne Rooney haunted Arsenal season after season during his playing career.
The England striker burst on to the scene as a 16-year-old when he memorably curled a winning goal for Everton past Gunners’ keeper David Seaman back in 2002.
Rooney totalled an impressive 15 goals and six assists against Arsenal during his career, spanning across spells with Everton and most notably Manchester United.
It is fair to say Rooney knows what it takes to be a good striker, which is why Arsenal fans will love what he has just said about new signing Viktor Gyokeres.
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Wayne Rooney thinks Arsenal fans will love Viktor Gyokeres for his ‘work rate’
Speaking on the latest episode of the podcast ‘The Wayne Rooney Show’, the former Manchester United forward has heaped praise on Gyokeres after playing against the Swede in the Championship.
Rooney stated: “I played against Gyokeres when he was at Coventry. So he’s been in England, he knows the culture of the place and stuff, but obviously it’s a different level, different…
“And now the pressure on Manchester United going in, the pressure on him going in at Arsenal who haven’t had a forward for so many years, it’s huge.
“I think the big plus, I think the Arsenal fans will love him, because he works hard, he plays a lot of energy, he likes to put a tackle in as well and can score goals.”
Paul Merson has expressed the importance of Gyokeres to Arsenal this season and believes alongside Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, the trio can deliver the title.
The Swede’s development in the robust nature of the Championship may serve him well this season, Gyokeres likes a physical challenge and will be provided with plenty of those in the Premier League.
Viktor Gyokeres can prove a lot of people wrong this season at Arsenal
Gyokeres has already been met with doubters before a ball has even been kicked this season. Tony Adams thinks Arsenal should have signed Ollie Watkins instead.
Robbie Fowler is concerned about Gyokeres and his ability to adapt to English football and those thoughts have been echoed by Gary Lineker.
None of those observations will concern the 27-year-old who has had to deal with doubt and adversity throughout his whole career.
He has dropped to the second-tier of English football, learned his trade in Germany and then demonstrated his ability with Sporting Lisbon.
Viktor Gyokeres has earned this opportunity to lead the line at Arsenal, there is no doubt he is up for the challenge.
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