Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Viktor Gyokeres could flop in the Premier League following his £63million move from Sporting CP this summer.
Manchester United club legend Ferdinand, 46, has urged fans to ‘calm down’ when it comes to their expectations over 27-year-old Gyokeres.
Making his Premier League debut for the Gunners at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Swedish international failed to register a shot before he was substituted mid-way through the second half.
While Mikel Arteta’s side were able to hold on for a 1-0 win, they demonstrated some teething problems as Gyokeres spearheaded a new-look attack.
That prompted Ferdinand to temper expectations as he said to sports presenter Joel Beya on Cheeky Sport: ‘Calm down. I’ve seen him live twice and I watched him [play for Arsenal against Man United on Sunday].
‘I haven’t seen enough to warrant his [price tag] given his performance against a dysfunctional Man United.
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Viktor Gyokeres could flop in the Premier League following his £63million move from Sporting CP this summer
The Swedish international failed to register a shot before he was substituted mid-way through the second half at Old Trafford on Sunday
That marked Gyokeres’ return to English football having previously had spells with Brighton and Coventry.
It comes after Ferdinand’s former England team-mate and fellow pundit Jamie Carragher revealed his belief that Arteta could leave Gyokeres out of the starting line-up during their biggest matches of the season.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher backed Gyokeres to be among the goals for Arsenal this season – after netting 54 in 52 games for Sporting last season – but suggested Arteta may turn elsewhere in the biggest matches.
‘If I’m being honest, I think they go back to Havertz in the biggest games, I think that will be the case. I can see Gyokeres playing and scoring goals,’ the former Liverpool defender said.
A surprised Gary Neville replied: ‘He can’t leave Gyokeres out of big games’, with Carragher doubling down by responding ‘he can’.
‘I think Havertz is too important a player for Mikel Arteta to be left out. I don’t see that happening at all.’
In response, Neville suggested that Arteta may have an alternative opinion in pairing Havertz and Gyokeres in the same set-up.
‘Arsenal needed a centre forward and brought one in, I saw glimpses that made me think he’ll be a handful,’ Neville said.
‘[Gabriel] Martinelli looks like he’s struggling, maybe getting Gyokeres and Havertz in together is something he has to try.’
