TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand thinks that Viktor Gyokeres is the right fit for Arsenal.

Manchester United were also heavily linked with the Swedish international prior to his £64m switch to the Emirates but Ferdinand believes that the striker ended up making the right choice based on the circumstances of the two clubs:

“You look at the two signings Manchester United have made, Premier League experience, and they understand the league. Whatever level you think they are, they are not going to have that adaptation to the Premier League and to the culture. Where he [Gyokeres] will have to have that — we don’t know if he can play in the Premier League, he ain’t done it, he played for Coventry.”

“Let’s fast forward to now, Gyokeres signing for Arsenal absolutely makes sense. You’re in a different position; you haven’t got young strikers sitting there waiting to know what to do. Havertz is your number nine, Jesus is your number nine, they are experienced, you just need someone who you think can go in and score goals.”

Arsenal will be hoping that Gyokeres can produce the goods

As Ferdinand points out, the 27-year-old has never played in the English top flight. He has scored goals for fun during his two years in Portugal, finding the back of the net 97 times in 102 appearances.

Of course, no fan expects Gyokeres to score at the same rate in the Premier League, but the pressure will be on him to find the back of the net on a regular basis straight away.

The Swede isn’t a stranger to English football. His stint with Coventry City in the Championship means he won’t have any issues with the physicality.

There are questions over how he will cope with the speed. He won’t get much time on the ball, and the level of opponents is much higher than what he is used to.

Gyokeres is clearly a very smart striker, though, and fans will be keenly anticipating his first competitive game leading the line.

Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here