Arsenal have clinched the Premier League title and are on the verge of a historic double in the Champions League, but former striker Michael Owen has suggested that the club is not entirely satisfied with one of their marquee signings.
Owen's Assessment of Gyokeres
Michael Owen has asserted that Arsenal are 'not happy' with Viktor Gyokeres and would be open to bringing in a replacement. The 27-year-old Sweden international joined the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon last summer for a fee of £64 million. Gyokeres has netted 21 goals in 54 appearances, yet his overall game and performances against top-tier opponents have drawn criticism. He is not a guaranteed starter under Mikel Arteta, with Kai Havertz often preferred in recent weeks.
Owen believes that despite Gyokeres contributing to Arsenal's Premier League success and their run to the Champions League final, the club desires a world-class striker who can elevate their style of play. "They've won it playing like this at the moment, that's not to say they're going to be like this forever," Owen told Premier League Productions. "Arsenal would love to find another centre-forward - they're not happy with Gyokeres really. They're not happy with a couple of positions."
Potential Evolution and Risks
Owen added, "If someone comes available that's top, if a Thierry Henry becomes available again, they'd move heaven and earth to get somebody like that in. That might change the dynamic of things as well. Okay, they're not the greatest of watches, granted, I'd say that, but that's not to say they'll be like that forever. They might evolve, they might get better." However, he warned of the risks: "They've got to be careful, like a Liverpool, spending £400m over a summer trying to be even better again, and they ruin what they've got. That's the risk, that's the management, that's the next stage."
Gyokeres' Recent Form and Arteta's Support
After a challenging start at the Emirates, Gyokeres has improved in the second half of the season, scoring four goals in two games to help Sweden qualify for the World Cup. Manager Mikel Arteta has expressed satisfaction with the striker's progress. "Viktor has been working extremely hard, the level of demands he puts on himself are incredibly high," Arteta explained. "He always wants to learn, he's always asking questions, he always wants to do extra things. He is always trying to find ways to find connections with his team-mates whether that is in the canteen, in the dressing room or on the pitch. At the end, when you have that kind of behaviour you get rewards."
Should Arsenal pursue a new striker this summer? The debate continues as the club balances success with potential evolution.
