The Premier League is on a level of its own, and even top players from other leagues struggle to adapt. In recent years, no forward has managed to maintain his level or do significantly better since moving to the English top flight, apart from Erling Haaland.
Michael Owen Questions Viktor Gyokeres’ Class After Slow Start at Arsenal
Michael Owen knows a thing or two about playing for the top clubs in England, and he has sent a strong warning to one Arsenal player. He believes that Viktor Gyokeres’ future at the club could be in trouble if the striker does not step up quickly.
The Gunners have been without a trophy for the last five seasons, so they spent big on getting Gyokeres from Sporting CP after he scored a stunning 39 goals in 33 league matches last season. While Arteta’s side is looking good this season and is on top of the Premier League table, the forward has not managed to replicate his form.
The Swedish international has scored just five goals in 19 appearances this season, raising questions about his on-pitch qualities. Speaking on the Premier League productions, Owen said he is far from impressed by the striker and believes that the forward is unlikely to start in the big games.
“We were on the pitch four or five minutes before kick-off and we were discussing him [Gyokeres] and I said then, ‘the jury is out’, and I still feel the same way at the moment. Fortunately for Arsenal, they’ve got lots of other players who can score goals. They wanted him [Gyokeres] to put the finishing touches on this team and they’re probably still searching for that person. If the Champions League final was tomorrow night, I’m not sure he would start.”
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Owen went on to make a bold statement, calling him a flat-track bully as he makes no impact against the sides around the Gunners in the table. He claimed that the forward lacked class and said:
“They will continue and persist with him, of course, because they paid so much money, you want to give him all the chances. And do you know what? Against Burnley, against Nottingham Forest, against Everton, whoever it might be, he probably is going to score a lot of goals, he can finish, he will be in the box. But to win these games [against Liverpool], you need a bit of class, you just need a bit of class and that’s just where he lacks.”
Arsenal spent $84 million to sign the forward in the summer, after ending their interest in Benjamin Sesko, who went on to join Manchester United.