Troy Deeney has major doubts about Arsenal summer signing Viktor Gyokeres and believes he could even lose his place in the team.
Arsenal fans have high hopes for Gyokeres following his £64m move from Portuguese champions Sporting.
Gyokeres enjoyed two sensational seasons at Sporting, scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances, and will hope for more success at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta has been desperate for a new striker for well over a year and decided to sign Gyokeres over the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins.
But Deeney is ‘not convinced’ Gyokeres will succeed at Arsenal and says he could even lost his place in the side to Kai Havertz.
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Havertz led the line for Arsenal for much of last season before suffering an injury. Back fit, the former Chelsea star scored in the final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao along with Gyokeres.
‘I am not convinced Viktor Gyokeres will score as many goals for Arsenal as people think,’ Deeney wrote in a column for The Sun.
‘My frustration is always that these guys are instantly put on a pedestal. People don’t realise the difference between playing in Portugal and playing for Arsenal or Manchester United or Liverpool.
‘Gyokeres’ numbers are fantastic. You can never deny the goals he scored in Portugal – it’s up there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi levels.
‘But he had a lot of chances because Sporting dominated the ball. And then when Ruben Amorim left for Man United last November, he wasn’t as prolific.
‘In Arsenal’s pre-season games, he missed a few chances and there is the feeling that the shirt is a bit heavier to wear than at Sporting.
‘Gyokeres will score goals and is a really good player. He will grab a couple of hat-tricks against the lesser teams like Leeds or Wolves. But in the big moments, does he score at Anfield? I’m not sure.
‘And the fact that they took so long to get Gyokeres over the line, the fact they also flirted with Benjamin Sesko, that has set off alarm bells for me.
‘The good thing is that Arsenal have depth now. I reckon Kai Havertz will play a lot of football this season. Mikel Arteta loves him – he’s his type of player to lead the line. Is that Gyokeres? I’m not sure.
‘And if Havertz goes on a run then Gyokeres doesn’t get back in. I could see that scenario.’
Gyokeres looks set to make his competitive Arsenal debut on Sunday when the Gunners face Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United also worked hard to bring in a new goalscorer this summer, signing Slovenia international Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Deeney says Sesko ‘fits the bill’ for a Manchester United side desperately looking to improve after a 15th-place finish last season.
‘I really like Sesko’s move to United, and I wouldn’t bet against him starting at Old Trafford against Arsenal, even if it is just for an hour,’ Deeney added.
‘He has come from the Red Bull model of wild counter-pressing and intensity. That may not have suited Arteta’s structure but with what United are trying to be, he fits the bill.’
Sesko could start against Arsenal along with fellow Manchester United summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
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