Ray Parlour Backs Viktor Gyokeres to Shine at Arsenal

Viktor Gyokeres faced a challenging debut for Arsenal in their 1-0 victory against Manchester United on August 27, 2023. The Swedish striker, who recently joined the Gunners after a protracted transfer process, was substituted in the second half after struggling to make an impact on the match at Old Trafford. Despite the difficulties, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour sees potential in Gyokeres, drawing parallels to the careers of club greats Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.

Parlour Reflects on Debut Performance

Gyokeres, who had not participated in a full pre-season, found himself closely marked by United’s defender Matthijs de Ligt. His lack of preparation was evident, but Parlour remains optimistic. He noted that both Bergkamp and Henry took time to adjust to the Premier League before showcasing their talents. Speaking to NetBet Online Casino, Parlour stated, “Remember it took Bergkamp and Henry quite a few games to score their first goal and impress, so for an opening debut, I am confident he will do well for Arsenal.”

The comparisons to Henry, who scored an impressive 226 goals in 370 matches, and Bergkamp, a key figure in Arsenal’s history, set high expectations for Gyokeres. However, Parlour believes that the striker’s physical strength and ability to create space will eventually shine through as he gains more experience in the team.

Strategic Importance for Arsenal

Despite the critique of Gyokeres’ performance, Parlour pointed out his positive contributions. “You can see his physical strength will cause defenders a lot of problems, and he ran well down the flanks when balls were put there,” he remarked. He emphasized that Gyokeres’ link-up play was noteworthy and suggested that as he plays more, his confidence will continue to grow. “It’s so important for Arsenal to add a different dimension to their game, and you can see how he will give them this,” he added.

Parlour, who made 466 appearances for Arsenal and won three Premier League titles during his career, believes that Gyokeres, alongside new signings Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke, will bolster the squad after a season lacking in depth.

Arsenal is set to host Leeds United on September 2, 2023, before facing a challenging away match at Anfield against Liverpool the following week. With Gyokeres and the new signings, fans hope the Gunners can capitalize on their attacking options and build momentum in the Premier League.