Former Manchester United and England captain, Wayne Rooney, has named Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as one of the top three performers in the Premier League this season. This comes as a surprise to many, given some of the other high-profile names currently lighting up the league.
After finishing runners-up for three consecutive seasons in the Premier League, Arsenal made it a priority to bring in an out-and-out centre-forward. The fans were clamouring for a proven goalscorer to add more firepower to Mikel Arteta’s attack. After being linked with several high-profile names during the summer transfer window, they settled on Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres had an impressive record at Sporting where his extraordinary goalscoring exploits helped them win a domestic double last term. Since joining Arsenal, he has found the net four times in his first ten appearances in English football's top flight and added two more goals against Atletico Madrid in Champions League play. Despite questions about his mobility and technical ability, Gyokeres' contribution up front has been instrumental in helping Arsenal open up a four-point lead at the top of table after eight games.
Injury concerns ahead of North London derby
However, there are concerns over whether Gyokeres will be available for selection against Spurs due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of club’s last two matches. He also missed international duty with Sweden during this period. Manager Arteta is expected to provide clarity on Friday regarding his availability for Sunday's north London derby.
Rooney believes that if ruled out, Gyokeres' absence would be a significant blow for Arsenal given his impact so far this season.
Rooney’s top three picks
According to Rooney - now turned pundit - Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo join Gyokeres in his top three standout players of the season.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United legend, said:
‘Top three, probably Semenyo, I think he’s been brilliant for Bournemouth, carrying on his form from last season. I’d also put Bryan Mbeumo in there. I think he’s been really good for Manchester United, even after a difficult start to the season for the club. I think he’s been really good.
‘The third one, I’d probably go with Gyokeres. Arsenal have been crying out for a new number nine for a few years now and he’s come in. His work-rate and his determination to hold up play and he’s obviously scoring a few goals as well so I’d say that’s my top three.’
While Gyokeres has added a physical threat up front for Arsenal, six players - Jean-Philippe Mateta, Danny Welbeck, Igor Thiago, Erling Haaland, Semenyo and Mbeumo - have outscored him in the Premier League this term.
The omission of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland from Rooney’s list has left some fans puzzled. The Norwegian has been in sensational form recently, scoring 14 times in his first eight games – six goals more than his nearest rival. He will be looking to add to his tally when Manchester City face Newcastle on Saturday. While Rooney's selection may raise eyebrows among some quarters given the exclusion of high-scoring names like Haaland, it is a testament to the impact that Viktor Gyokeres has had at Arsenal since joining from Sporting.
