Wayne Rooney Backs Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres Amid Goal Criticism
Rooney's Support for Gyokeres
Wayne Rooney, a legendary figure at Manchester United, has expressed his strong support for Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres. Despite facing criticism regarding his goal-scoring record, Rooney emphasized Gyokeres' significance to Mikel Arteta's squad. The striker recently scored from the penalty spot, contributing to Arsenal's narrow 1-0 win over Everton, which ended his five-match goal drought and helped the team regain the top position in the Premier League.
During an episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England captain acknowledged that Gyokeres has not been scoring as often as anticipated. However, he highlighted that the striker's impact extends beyond just goals. Rooney pointed out that Gyokeres' ability to draw defenders away creates opportunities for his teammates, a crucial element in Arsenal's quest for the title.
Gyokeres' Role in Arsenal's Success
Rooney remarked, "He does more than what meets the eye. Even in the match against Everton, he effectively occupied both center-backs, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane. This movement opens up space for the number 10 or wide players coming in. He is vital for Arsenal, performing a role that benefits others, even if he hasn't scored as many goals as expected. Can he improve? Absolutely. Should he find the net more often? Yes. But if Arsenal clinches the league title, his contributions will be significant."
Since joining Arsenal from Sporting Club in the summer, Gyokeres has netted five goals in 15 Premier League matches. His transition has been somewhat inconsistent, with Mikel Merino often taking the lead role. Nevertheless, Rooney reiterated his belief that Gyokeres is one of the league's top performers, commending his work ethic and tactical awareness.
Decisive Penalty and Arsenal's Standings
Gyokeres' penalty against Everton was crucial in a tightly contested match at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The spot-kick was awarded after Jake O'Brien committed a handball in the box, and Gyokeres successfully converted it in the 27th minute. Following this, Arsenal maintained their defensive strength, achieving their fourth clean sheet in ten games and extending their winning streak to three matches across all competitions.
This victory propelled Arsenal back to the top of the league, overtaking Manchester City, who had briefly held the position after a 3-0 victory against West Ham earlier in the day. With Gyokeres' contributions, his potential importance in the title race is becoming increasingly evident, despite ongoing questions about his finishing abilities.