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‘I expected more’ – Viktor Gyokeres criticised for ‘poor’ Arsenal debut by ex-Premier League manager
Viktor Gyokeres made a slow start to his Arsenal career during their win over Manchester United. The Gunners kicked off the new Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday with Riccardo Calafiori scoring the only goal of a tense encounter to give the visitors all three points. Gyokeres endured a difficult Premier League debut for Arsenal on SundayGetty The summer signing failed to attempt a single shot on goal against UnitedGetty However, fans will have to wait to see Gyokeres open his account for Arsenal this season. The Sweden striker struggled to make an impact against the Red Devils and was starved of opportunities in front of goal. Gyokeres failed to attempt a single shot during his 60 minutes of action and completed just four passes. He was replaced by Kai Havertz on the hour mark as Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack. It had been the 27-year-old’s competitive debut for his new side following a £63.7million move from Sporting Lisbon. Alan Pardew was unconvinced by the big money signing’s display as he analysed Gyokeres’ performance. Asked what he made of the forward’s showing, the former Newcastle manager told talkSPORT: “Well, poor. I think you can’t gloss it up any more than that. “He looked not quite at it, whether he was nervous or or whatever… it didn’t look what I was expecting because I’m a big fan of his. I was expecting a little bit more from him today. “And I think at 60 minutes to get subbed was you know, what I would have expected with this performance. “Maybe he felt he should have had a little bit longer, but no that wasn’t the best. I’m surprised.” Pardew labelled Gyokeres’ performance ‘poor’ after his underwhelming displayGetty The Swedish international played 60 minutes before being replaced by HavertzGetty Should Gyokeres have started? As for whether it was a risk to start Gyokeres in such a match without a full pre-season, Pardew added: “Yes, but I think when you’ve paid that sort of money you you want to get him fit and the only way really to get a match fit is to play him. “I mean it was a bit of a gamble I suppose but it was worth getting some time and some minutes under his belt. “He did look a bit rusty and as you say, you know the inactivity and the fact that you know he’s missed maybe half of pre-season is a factor in perhaps in not being as sharp as we were expecting.” Prior to his move to the Emirates Stadium, Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting during two years in Portugal. However, his protracted exit from the club prevented him from completing a full pre-season schedule with the Gunners. Despite that, Gyokeres did feature in each of Arsenal’s final three friendly matches. Those included a goal against Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. Gyokeres will have the chance to open his competitive account for the club on Saturday evening at home to Leeds.
Viktor Gyokeres made a slow start to his Arsenal career during their win over Manchester United.
The Gunners kicked off the new Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday with Riccardo Calafiori scoring the only goal of a tense encounter to give the visitors all three points.
However, fans will have to wait to see Gyokeres open his account for Arsenal this season.
The Sweden striker struggled to make an impact against the Red Devils and was starved of opportunities in front of goal.
Gyokeres failed to attempt a single shot during his 60 minutes of action and completed just four passes.
He was replaced by Kai Havertz on the hour mark as Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack.
It had been the 27-year-old’s competitive debut for his new side following a £63.7million move from Sporting Lisbon.
Alan Pardew was unconvinced by the big money signing’s display as he analysed Gyokeres’ performance.
Asked what he made of the forward’s showing, the former Newcastle manager told talkSPORT: “Well, poor. I think you can’t gloss it up any more than that.
“He looked not quite at it, whether he was nervous or or whatever… it didn’t look what I was expecting because I’m a big fan of his. I was expecting a little bit more from him today.
“And I think at 60 minutes to get subbed was you know, what I would have expected with this performance.
“Maybe he felt he should have had a little bit longer, but no that wasn’t the best. I’m surprised.”
Should Gyokeres have started?
As for whether it was a risk to start Gyokeres in such a match without a full pre-season, Pardew added: “Yes, but I think when you’ve paid that sort of money you you want to get him fit and the only way really to get a match fit is to play him.
“I mean it was a bit of a gamble I suppose but it was worth getting some time and some minutes under his belt.
“He did look a bit rusty and as you say, you know the inactivity and the fact that you know he’s missed maybe half of pre-season is a factor in perhaps in not being as sharp as we were expecting.”
Prior to his move to the Emirates Stadium, Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting during two years in Portugal.
However, his protracted exit from the club prevented him from completing a full pre-season schedule with the Gunners.
Despite that, Gyokeres did feature in each of Arsenal’s final three friendly matches.
Those included a goal against Athletic Bilbao at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.
Gyokeres will have the chance to open his competitive account for the club on Saturday evening at home to Leeds.
