Viktor Gyokeres is never far from the spotlight as he continues to adapt to life at Arsenal.
It’s fair to say Gyokeres has been underwhelming since he completed his £64m transfer from Sporting CP.
Some expected a lengthy adaptation period, as the difference in level between the Premier League and the Liga Portugal is quite a jump.
Though Gyokeres has impressed in spells, the Swede has a lot of catching up to do if he wants to be involved in Golden Boot discussions, sitting 14 goals behind Erling Haaland already.
Change my mind: Viktor Gyokeres will become Arsenal’s answer to Erling Haaland.
Gary Lineker says Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres is a level below Erling Haaland
Haaland’s presence is a problem for Gyokeres, as the bar for Premier League strikers at clubs within the big six is staggeringly high because of Manchester City’s talisman.
Given that Arsenal and Man City are title rivals, there was a hefty expectation on Gyokeres to provide as Haaland does, an expectation that Gary Lineker doesn’t think he’s living up to.
“Gyokeres has come in, and I look at him, and I mean, I don’t want to be rude, but he’s not in the same league as Erling Haaland,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
Lineker was reacting to Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Everton, a match that Gyokeres scored in, but failed to blow anyone away in.
While there’s plenty of time and belief that Gyokeres will improve at Arsenal, right now, it has to be said that Lineker is right.
There’s a stark gap between the Arsenal striker and Haaland’s start to the season, which isn’t what Gyokeres will want to maintain.
Gyokeres says he’s as good as Haaland
While the 27-year-old’s goalscoring record at Arsenal is comparable to that of a striker lacking confidence, Gyokeres certainly doesn’t lack belief.
If you could go back in time and sign another striker for Arsenal instead of Viktor Gyokeres, who would it be and why?
In the summer, the former Sporting CP marksman spoke to L’Equipe, where he was asked where he believed he ranked alongside strikers like Harry Kane and Haaland.
“I’m definitely one of them. It’s hard to classify me, but yes, I’m at the same table as them now,” Gyokeres said.
“They are extraordinary players, at the top level for many years, who have proven much more than I have.”
Having scored 97 goals in two seasons for Sporting, there’s no doubting that Gyokeres can hit monstrous numbers at Arsenal, but it’s clear that to reach his best, he’ll need time.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
