Scholes suggests Gyokeres is not the 'clever striker' Arteta really wanted

 Scholes suggests Gyokeres is not the 'clever striker' Arteta really wanted

Arsenal recently completed the signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon in a £64 million move, aiming to strengthen their frontline ahead of the new season. 

However, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has raised questions about the striker's suitability for Mikel Arteta's system. Speaking during a fan debate, Scholes suggested that Gyokeres may not be the "clever striker" Arteta truly wanted, citing the prolonged nature of the transfer and Arsenal's uncertain pursuit as signs he might not have been their top target.

He acknowledged the striker’s impressive goal record in Portugal but expressed concerns about whether Gyokeres can thrive in Arsenal’s possession-heavy style of play, which requires intelligent movement and technical subtlety.

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Scholes also pointed to a possible mismatch between Gyokeres’ strengths and the tactical demands of Arsenal. At Sporting Lisbon, Gyokeres excelled in a counter-attacking setup where his speed and physicality flourished. 

In contrast, Arsenal’s system involves breaking down compact defences with intricate play in tighter spaces. Scholes questioned whether Gyokeres possesses the off-the-ball intelligence needed to succeed in such a setup, comparing him unfavorably to players like Alexander Isak.

The Swedish forward’s quiet debut in a pre-season loss to Tottenham, where he had just two touches, has only added to the skepticism surrounding his fit and readiness to lead Arsenal's attack.