Later today, Saturday, Arsenal, who now sit alone at the top of the Premier League table after two straight defeats to Manchester City, will take on Hull City at the Emirates Stadium.
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For completely natural reasons, the lack of goals this season, the future of Viktor Gyökere at Arsenal has been the subject of speculation. But Jeremie Aliadiere is sure of his case: Arsenal should not sell the Swede.
“I still think he delivers fantastic performances,” says the former Gunners striker.
After becoming Arsenal’s top goalscorer last season, Viktor Gyökeres has not had the same good start this autumn. Kai Havertz has been Mikel Arteta’s first choice striker, and the Swede has only been responsible for two goals so far.
The rumour mill around Gyökeres has – with his limited playing time – gained momentum in England. One who does not want to see the 28-year-old leave north London is Jeremie Aliadiere. The former striker, who belonged to Arsenal between 2001 and 2007, believes it would be a mistake to sell the Swede.
– Will not be without a striker
“Havertz is the obvious first choice, yes, but you don’t want to let go of Gyökeres. If Havertz were to get injured – which we have seen before, since he has had some injury problems – you are suddenly completely without a striker. They can be left there without the possibility of replacing him,” Aliadiere says according to Foot Mercato.
The Frenchman likes what he has seen of Gyökeres, but believes that the striker’s style of play does not match Arsenal’s.
“I’ve always had a lot of patience and seen all the good things he does. I still think he delivers fantastic performances. But I feel that the players don’t give him the ball fast enough, which is what he needs. He needs to run in the spaces and get the ball quickly. And I don’t really think Arsenal are playing that way right now. They want to have control of the ball.
Strong effort against Slavia
Gyökeres had perhaps his strongest performance of the season on Wednesday, when he scored one goal and had one assist in the Champions League meeting with Slavia Prague.
The Swede has a total of 13 appearances for Arsenal this autumn, most of them as a substitute. In addition to the goal against Slavia Prague, he also scored against Fleetwood in the League Cup, when “The Gunners” were knocked out of the tournament.
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