Major Viktor Gyokeres concern for Arsenal shared by ex-strike partner at Brighton, ‘I’m not sure’…

There are high hopes for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta is counting on the Sweden international to deliver in north London after remarkably scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting CP – an incredible return which led Arsenal to spend £64m on his signature this summer.

Viktor Gyokeres showed what he could do by scoring a superb header against Athletic Bilbao last time out – although Glenn Murray has now delivered a worrying verdict on the new Arsenal No.14 having played alongside him at Brighton.

Glenn Murray has doubts over Viktor Gyokeres

The 41-year-old spent time with the Swede at Brighton from 2018 to 2021, and does not believe he has what it takes to be the main man for Arsenal.

Murray told BBC Sport: “I don’t think Gyokeres is the one – it’s such a big step.

“I was with him at Brighton and I never had him down to be a £64m striker. When Ben White stepped into our first team, right away everyone knew how good he was – he was of that standard. When Viktor came in, it was more a case where you thought he was alright. I am not sure he suits Arsenal’s style, either.”

Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images

Murray only played seven minutes of football with Gyokeres during an actual game for Brighton, but obviously saw the 27-year-old on a daily basis in training, so he is well placed to speak about the striker.

Having said that, a lot can change in four years.

The man born in Stockholm has netted 140 goals in just 218 appearances for Coventry and Sporting CP since leaving Brighton, so perhaps he is no longer the player Murray had doubts about.

What Ben White did when Viktor Gyokeres deal was announced

While Gyokeres – who admires Zlatan Ibrahimovic – hardly played with Murray, he had more of a connection with White, making nine appearances alongside the Arsenal No.4 totalling 900 minutes.

The pair even combined to score a goal against the Swansea U23 side back in the 2018/19 campaign.

Upon his move to Arsenal, Gyokeres received a message from White, as well as Martin Odegaard, telling the club’s official media channel: “I played with Ben White at Brighton, so he’s been in touch, and then Martin Odegaard has been in touch as captain. So it’s very nice of them both.”

Hopefully, Gyokeres can prove Murray wrong throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

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