Rio Ferdinand makes Viktor Gyokeres prediction and compares Arsenal star to Alexander Isak

Viktor Gyokeres failed to find the net against Manchester United in his Arsenal debut and his ability to record a shot oon goal has left some onlookers concerned over his prospects

Rio Ferdinand believes that Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres simply needs to get up to speed after failing to register a shot during his Premier League debut. The Gunners defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the first game of the season but were unable to see their new forward thrive.

Mikel Arteta has long wanted a goalscorer to aid his frontline as the north London side attempt to get over the hump of being perennial runners-up. Gyokeres’ arrived in a £63.5million deal after netting 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting CP last season.

But it was not an easy welcome to life in the Premier League at Old Trafford as Arsenal failed to produce their best form and find the Sweden international. Riccardo Calafiori’s goal separated the sides as the Gunners at least got off to a winning start against Ruben Amorim’s side.

Gyokores lasted 60 minutes before being replaced by Kai Havertz on Sunday. And Ferdinand reckons it’s entirely understandable for the former Coventry sharpshooter to not have hit the ground running.

The ex-Manchester United defender highlighted the lack of pre-season Gyokeres enjoyed as he went on strike at his previous club, and perhaps offered a warning to wantaway Newcastle star Alexander Isak.

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Ferdinand said: “I’ve seen some of the comments, people saying Gyokeres doesn’t look the part – early in the season, give him five or six games minimum, just to get up to speed.

“Give him time to get up to speed fitness-wise, he’s got to get fit! He probably hasn’t trained with a team since he got to Arsenal because he demanded to leave – bit like Isak now, he won’t be training with the team, he’ll be on his own [at Newcastle].

“The depth now, Havertz coming on, Arsenal have a real opportunity now.”

Arsenal boss Arteta was not yet too concerned by his new star’s display given the early stage of his time in north London. “Well, he did a lot of things very good,” he said after earning three points.

“You can tell, especially in our high-pressing rhythm that we demand that, especially in the first hour. Again, he took too much time. It’s something that we have to work on him, especially there.

“And then, yeah, finalising situation, he didn’t have that many chances to do that because, as I said, on the previous action, before we had to play that last ball that the line was standing still with 40 metres behind, we then managed to put the ball through to exploit his quality. But overall, I mean, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it’s a good start.”

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