4 hours ago
3
Former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy believes Viktor Gyokeres could prove to be the right signing for the Gunners due to his aerial prowess and presence in the box. That's despite the Frenchman currently being of the opinion that Alexander Isak would have been the better fit for his old club.
Arsenal had been linked with Isak in recent years but it became clear this year that the former Real Sociedad star only had eyes for Liverpool, and he completed a Premier League-record transfer to the Reds at the start of last week.
Clichy, who spent eight years at Arsenal between 2003 and 2011 — meaning he was part of the last Gunners squad to win the Premier League — thinks Gyokeres could benefit from the signings of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze as he thinks they will provide plenty of chances for him in the box.
"I think he will adapt," Clichy told Metro of Gyokeres. "Is he the type of player that the Arsenal fans wanted to see? Probably not. Are they happy with him and will they support him? For sure, at the beginning, and they will hope for something amazing.
"I don’t think he is the sort of player Arsenal are used to, I don’t think in the link-up side of the game he will provide what they need. I think someone like Isak was more suited but he [Gyokeres] will add something Arsenal didn’t have.
"When you look at the players they have brought, they want to use those lines, use those wingers, create one-on-ones and get the ball into the box quickly. I think we will see a new Arsenal, an Arsenal that is more looking towards those situations.
"Will it always work? I don’t know, like we saw against Manchester United and Liverpool, against top centre-halves, it is not that easy.
"But I think that is what we are going to see more of this season, more freedom for the wingers, getting the ball into the box for the new signing.
"Arsenal wanted Isak for sure, any team would love him. But it was down to whoever could match the price tag and I don’t think Arsenal were prepared to do that.
"Football in 2025 is about who can spend the money. He is a special player. but for Arsenal, when you look at the additions of Madueke and Eze, it just feels right to have someone who is going in the box all the time."
English (US) ·