Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is backing new Gunners striker Viktor Gyokeres to thrive at the Emirates despite concerns over the ability of the Sweden international to continue his remarkable goal-scoring exploits in the Premier League.
Gyokeres has arrived in England with a reputation as the most prolific center forward in Europe over the last couple of seasons. The big Swede notched 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon in the last two years to deliver back-to-back Primera Liga titles.
Despite this, question marks remain, regarding his overall quality and ability to replicate those feats in the Premier League given the gulf in intensity and demands between the English top-flight and the Portuguese top-flight.
But for Premier League and FA Cup winner, Ian Wright, who currently holds a record for the second-highest number of goals by a single player in the history of Arsenal (158), no such concerns exist.
“I heard Mark Robins from Coventry say that every time Gyokeres trained, he looked like somebody in a rush, in a hurry, he needs to make up time and I totally got that because once I got to Arsenal I realised I was in a place where I could make up time,” Wright said on the SDS podcast.
“People are talking about the league Gyokeres played in and the fact he doesn’t score against this kind of team, he only scores penalties, this and that… it doesn’t matter. What I’ve heard and what I loved that I heard from Gyokeres is that man wants to be there.
“I wanted to be there because I knew once I got in amongst these guys and they create these chances, I’m going to take them. All I was focused on was hitting targets and taking chances.
“With Gyokeres, I can see the mentality and if he’s anything like I was, he himself can’t wait because he knows what he’s going into.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
