Jeremie Aliadiere has backed Viktor Gyokeres to have a big future at Arsenal, urging the Sweden striker not to consider a January exit despite limited Premier League minutes this season.
Gyokeres, 29, has started only one Premier League game so far this campaign. He has been used more in Carabao Cup fixtures and against weaker Champions League sides, and came off the bench for the sixth time in 10 league games in the last outing against Hull, having been an unused substitute three times.
Gyokeres struggles for regular starts
Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting in a £63.5million move, with Mikel Arteta hoping the striker would help the side finally win the title. Arsenal did win the league for the first time in over 20 years and reach the Champions League final, but Gyokeres was a largely unreliable figure to lead the line and lost his place to Kai Havertz at the end of the season.
Gyokeres found the net in the Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood and against Slavia Prague, but has not produced the heights that he and Gunners fans hoped for.
Aliadiere puts faith in the Swede
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via IgnitionCasino, Aliadiere backed Gyokeres despite Arsenal playing a different system to the one in which he scored 97 times in 102 games in Portugal.
Aliadiere said: “I like Gyokeres. You have to remember Havertz was out for a lot of last season and Gyokeres came in and did well for the team. Scored goals and contributed well and enabled others to score as well.
“He does prefer the ball played to him quicker, Arsenal do play a different style to that of Lisbon, but he has adapted well, but maybe suited to a team playing to a style where he gets more of the ball.
“However, I think he does have a big future at Arsenal as it’s a team game and while Arsenal are winning, you don’t want to ruin a winning formula. And you look elsewhere and where is another striker of Gyokeres physique who is proven at this level.”
No January move expected
Aliadiere previously told the Daily Star Sport how he forced a move from Arsenal because of a lack of opportunities in the first team, making a move to fellow Premier League club Middlesbrough. However, the Frenchman admitted he regretted leaving as the game became more rotation-heavy and the extension of seven substitutes on the bench, rather than just three.
Aliadiere insisted that despite Gyokeres being down the pecking order at 29, where he might have one last big move in him, the Swede should not consider leaving.
“You’re at a club top of the Premier League and gunning for back-to-back titles,” he said. “You’re in a great place in the Champions League. Why on earth would you want to leave when more trophies can be possible.
“You need a few good strikers in the squad to handle all the games and Arsenal are doing it right. So I do not see Gyokeres forcing a move in January at all.
“Unless Arsenal believe they feel they can upgrade, then it’s a possibility, but in January, I don’t see it as it will change the dimension of the group and this is a very together group of players.”
