Arsenal urged to sign an alternative
Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Martin Keown (Photo by Michael Campanella, Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has commented on the Gunners’ need for a new striker, but suggested a high-profile target would not be the answer.
Talking to him Oxford Mailformer Arsenal defender Keown spoke of links with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeresbut raised a concern.
Although the Sweden international has been on fire for Sporting this season, scoring 26 goals in just 24 games in all competitions so far, Keown is concerned he is not slow enough.
Keown even joked that he didn’t think Gyokeres would have been slow enough for when he was still playing!
Arsenal legend not sure about Viktor Gyokeres
“(Gyokeres) isn’t fast enough and wouldn’t have been fast enough in my day.”
However, he also made it clear that a new signing seems necessary up front, saying: “The players who are there at the moment have to start scoring goals quickly, or Mikel will put his hands in his pocket and buy a striker .”
Gyokeres at Arsenal He would surely be a popular January move for many fans as it is hard to imagine him not continuing to score at a prolific rate in this team, but perhaps Keown is right that there are better alternatives.
One concern for Gyokeres, apart from his pace, could be that he has yet to prove himself in any of Europe’s big five leagues.
The 26-year-old has done well for Sporting, but was previously playing in the Championship with Coventry City, so making the move to the Premier League would really be a step into uncharted territory.
Arsenal might do better to consider more proven players at this level, such as Alexander Isak, or a talented young player such as Benjamin Sesko, who is young enough to develop and fine-tune his game to become an elite striker .
English