Rio Ferdinand Disagrees with Gary Lineker Over Arsenal's £64m Striker
Gary Lineker believes Viktor Gyokeres needs to start scoring against top teams to avoid the label of a "flat-track bully." However, Rio Ferdinand disagrees and is confident the striker will help Arsenal win the Premier League.
Viktor Gyokeres' Early Performances
The Gunners paid £64 million to Sporting Lisbon for the Swedish forward. His initial displays have divided opinion among fans and experts. While many praise his work rate, tenacity, hold-up play, and defensive disruption, his goal tally is modest—six goals in 14 appearances across all competitions.
Criticism of Scoring Record
Gyokeres has netted four Premier League goals, all against teams near the bottom of the table: Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Burnley. Due to this, some critics have called the 27-year-old a "flat-track bully," a term for players who perform well against weaker opposition but struggle in big matches.
“I don’t want to call him a flat-track bully, that’s a bit unfair,” said former England striker Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football.
Ferdinand's Confidence in Gyokeres
Contrary to the criticism, Rio Ferdinand is convinced that Gyokeres will be a key player for Arsenal's title ambitions, dismissing concerns over his scoring record against stronger teams.
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Author's summary: Despite early criticism over scoring only against weaker teams, Rio Ferdinand firmly believes Viktor Gyokeres will be pivotal in Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League title.