Rio Ferdinand Critiques Arsenal’s New Signing Viktor Gyokeres After Premier League Debut
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has raised eyebrows with his critical assessment of Arsenal’s recent £63 million signing, Viktor Gyokeres. Following the striker’s underwhelming debut in the Premier League at Old Trafford, where Arsenal clinched a narrow 1-0 victory, Ferdinand urged fans to temper their expectations.
The 46-year-old pundit expressed disappointment with Gyokeres’ performance, noting that the Swedish forward left the pitch in the second half without registering a single shot on goal. On his show, "Rio Ferdinand Presents," he addressed the excitement surrounding the 27-year-old’s arrival from Sporting Lisbon, stating, “Calm down.”
Ferdinand questioned whether Gyokeres’ display justified his hefty transfer fee, especially against a struggling Manchester United team. “I haven’t seen enough to warrant his price tag based on his performance against a dysfunctional Man United. 100 percent, I didn’t see it,” he asserted.
Having observed Gyokeres in two prior matches, Ferdinand provided some tactical insights into the player’s strengths and potential fit within Arsenal’s setup. He noted that the forward seems comfortable with channel running and has the physical attributes needed to succeed, but emphasized the need for improved fitness levels. Ultimately, Ferdinand believes Gyokeres will be judged on his ability to capitalize on chances created by Arsenal’s creative talents, particularly the effective partnership between Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Ferdinand’s skepticism was echoed by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who speculated that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may choose to bench Gyokeres during high-stakes matches. During a Sky Sports analysis, Carragher predicted that while Gyokeres is likely to score throughout the season—following an impressive tally of 54 goals in 52 appearances for Sporting last term—he may not be a regular starter in crucial fixtures. “If I’m being honest, I think they go back to Havertz in the biggest games,” Carragher explained.
Gary Neville offered a contrasting viewpoint, expressing surprise at the notion that Gyokeres could be sidelined in important matches. “He can’t leave Gyokeres out of big games,” Neville countered, although Carragher stood firm in his belief that Arteta might opt for a different approach.
In light of Gabriel Martinelli’s recent struggles, Neville suggested exploring a partnership between Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. “Arsenal needed a centre forward and brought one in; I saw glimpses that made me think he’ll be a handful,” he remarked, indicating that despite Ferdinand’s reservations, Gyokeres could prove to be an asset for the team.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Viktor Gyokeres to see if he can adapt to the Premier League and live up to the expectations that come with his hefty price tag.
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