Wayne Rooney snubs Erling Haaland for Arsenal star in 'best three players this season'

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was asked to pick his best three players in the Premier League so far this season

Wayne Rooney has picked Viktor Gyokeres - while snubbing Erling Haaland - as one of the best three players in the Premier League so far this season.

The England and Manchester United legend was asked for his selections by Amazon Prime Video and he gave the Arsenal striker his backing.

Rooney said: "My top three are probably [Antoine] Semenyo, I think he's been brilliant for Bournemouth and carried on his form from last season.

"I'd also put Bryan Mbeumo in there, he's been really good for Man United even after a difficult start to the season for the club. I think he's been really good.

"Third one, I'd probably go with Viktor Gyokeres. Arsenal have been crying out for a No.9 for a few years now, he's come in and his work rate, determination and holdup play has been good and he's scored a few goals as well. That's my top three."

Gyokeres has mustered six goals in 14 appearances so far this term in all competitions.

Four of those strikes have come in the Premier League against Leeds (brace), Nottingham Forest and more recently, Burnley.

The Sweden international has been sidelined for the past few weeks with a muscle injury, sustained in the 2-0 win at Turf Moor.

Gyokeres was forced off at half-time and Arsenal had been optimistic he could yet return for Sunday's North London Derby against Tottenham.

However, the match could yet come too soon for the 27-year-old as club medical staff are reluctant to rush his recovery and risk the prospect of an unwanted setback.

The former Sporting CP attacker was recently awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy after rattling in 54 goals in 52 appearances for club and country during the 2024-25 campaign.

Rooney appears to appreciate Gyokeres' all-round game as opposed to his goalscoring exploits, which have been scrutinised since his return to England.

Both Cherries ace Semenyo (six) and United marksman Mbeumo (five) have outscored Gyokeres so far this season in the top-flight, though no Arsenal player has found the net more times in the Premier League.

It was a major surprise that Rooney did not include Haaland on his list given the Norwegian has already hit the back of the net 14 times for Manchester City.

Gyokeres also hit a brace in the Champions League for Arsenal in the 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid.

With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz expected to return to action before the end of the year, the Swede will have a fight on his hands to keep hold of his starting spot.