Arsenal: Rio Ferdinand makes bold Viktor Gyokeres prediction with Alexander Isak comparison | OneFootball

Rio Ferdinand urges fans to reserve judgment on Arsenal’s new No.14

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The former Brighton and Coventry City forward struggled to make an impact and was substituted after 60 minutes, with Kai Havertz coming on in his place.

He said: “I’ve seen some of the comments, people saying Gyokeres doesn’t look the part – early in the season, give him five or six games minimum, just to get up to speed.

“Give him time to get up to speed fitness-wise, he’s got to get fit! He probably hasn’t trained with a team since he got to Arsenal because he demanded to leave – bit like Isak now, he won’t be training with the team, he’ll be on his own [at Newcastle].

“The depth now, Havertz coming on, Arsenal have a real opportunity now.”

Kai Havertz replaced Viktor Gyokeres at Old Trafford

REUTERS

The Swedish forward was Europe’s most prolific striker last season, scoring 39 league goals, more than any other player across the continent’s top eight leagues.

Yesterday, however, he endured a frustrating outing. Gyokeres managed just 21 touches, only three of which came inside the box. He lost possession 11 times, completed just four of his nine attempted passes, and failed to create a single chance for his teammates.

His duels told a similar story. He won only two of seven on the ground and was beaten in five of his six aerial battles.