Arsenal cult hero Theo Walcott has spoken about how Viktor Gyokeres could play a similar role to Olivier Giroud in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP late in July for around £64million and he made his debut in the 3-2 defeat to Villarreal.
The Gunners finally have themselves a brand new No. 9 after being without an out-and-out forward for quite a while, and much is expected of Gyokeres this season.
Theo Walcott also explained what traits Gyokeres has in his locker that elevates him above Giroud.
Walcott, speaking on The Overlap US, said Bukayo Saka now finally has a foil in the Arsenal front line, much like he did in Giroud.
The former Gunners, Southampton and Everton man also said Gyokeres is quicker and “probably stronger” than Giroud.
“The dynamic is completely different now,” said Walcott. “Saka has someone he can bounce the ball off.
“My player was Giroud. I used to always love to bounce the ball off him. One, twos, following.
“He was probably an underrated Arsenal forward and that’s a similar kind of player they’ve got. And Giroud was a very good player.
“But Gyokeres is quicker, he’s probably stronger. He’s not as good-looking as Giroud, I’ve got to say. But look, his celebration’s great.”
Gyokeres to one of the Premier League’s most in-form strikers.
In September 2024, Gyokeres scored the opener in Sporting’s 2-0 win over Lille in the Champions League.
Keown told TNT Sports: “He’s turned and spun on that one and put it in the back of the net, who does that remind you of? Bit of a [Erling] Haaland about him there.”
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand said: “I don’t know how he was allowed out of England.
“He’s a beast of a human, he’s just developed into a really outstanding player and I’m really interested to see how he develops in the next coming year or two.”
