Ian Wright Backs Gyokeres to Fire Arsenal’s Title Push

With Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Manchester United fast approaching, Ian Wright has thrown his full support behind new signing Viktor Gyokeres, tipping the Swedish striker to make a telling impact in his first season at the Emirates.

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The 27-year-old arrived this summer in a high-profile £64 million move from Sporting, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with being Arsenal’s first true focal point in attack for several years.

For Wright, who knows exactly what it takes to thrive as a striker in North London, the key lies not just in Gyokeres’s technical ability, but in his mindset.

“When you look at his career, everyone he has gone to, he has done it. He has got to that next place and scored the goals,” Wright told BBC Sport. “He could be the one to win Arsenal the league because his attitude and determination to want to do it is exactly what we need right now.”

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The former Gunners forward believes Gyokeres’s track record speaks volumes. A striker who has embraced each step up in his career and delivered wherever he has played.

Wright sees a player driven by ambition and hungry to prove himself at the very top level. “You’ve got to look at his journey and you can see, yes, this guy wants it,” Wright continued. “He’s got to convince us and go to the next level now.”

With Arsenal finishing last season 17 goals behind Liverpool in the league, Wright is clear about the target. “I think if Viktor Gyokeres scores 10-15 Premier League goals, he is a success. If he can get to 15 and go from there then that will be magnificent because we’ve got to get the other guys involved as well.”

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His arrival has inevitably sparked comparisons, with Theo Walcott suggesting Gyokeres’s style could resemble that of Olivier Giroud, though perhaps with less of the model looks.

Ian Wright during his playing days for Arsenal.

Theo Walcott also pointed to the importance of forging strong partnerships, particularly with Bukayo Saka, and ensuring the team’s attacking patterns evolve to suit the new number nine.

“Because they've essentially gone four, five years without a recognised number nine who does things out of the ordinary - a player like Robin van Persie.

“Gyokeres probably compares to an Olivier Giroud - not as good looking, I don't think, but he's definitely got an iconic celebration and one we want to see more of.

“My concern is about that dynamic between him and Bukayo Saka. Who is going to play on the left, with those connections? Who is going to play behind him? I think it's a really big season for Martin Odegaard compared to last.

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“There are all of these different dynamics. I do feel Arsenal are stronger, but will they finish above Liverpool? Because Liverpool are dangerous.

“I still feel like there are a couple [more players] they need for that icing on the cake.”