Wayne Rooney believes that Viktor Gyokeres’ performances will be a ‘major factor’ in Arsenal’s bid to end their season with a historic double.
Gyokeres was Arsenal’s big-money signing last summer, joining from Sporting CP for £64million in a bid to add more firepower to Mikel Arteta’s attack.
The Swede endured a sluggish start to life at the Emirates, scoring just three goals in his first 11 matches before going 10 games without a goal from open play.
But the 27-year-old has proven his worth towards the back end of the season, scoring a brace against Fulham and delivering a man-of-the-match display against Atletico Madrid in the Gunners’ Champions League semi-final second leg.
Those recent results have left Arsenal within three wins of securing a first league title in more than 20 years, as well as a first-ever Champions League crown.
And Rooney believes that Gyokeres’ all-around play will be of vital importance if Arsenal are to get over the line in both competitions in the coming weeks.
‘I’ve said this all season and I have been criticised for saying it, but I actually really like him,’ Rooney told The Overlap EFL Fan Debate with SkyBet.
‘What he brings to that Arsenal team is that he occupies defenders. He makes them work, he makes them defend, he runs the channels.
‘And what we’ve seen recently is that it’s creating more space for [Eberechi] Eze and for [Bukayo] Saka — because if one, or both centre-backs have to go and cover him and then the full-back has to cover round, when you switch the ball quickly, it creates so much space for everyone just in behind him.
‘Over the last few weeks he has been showing that even more and if Arsenal go on to win the league and the Champions League, he’ll be a major reason behind it, because that’s where Arsenal have been short in the last few years.
‘I know he hasn’t scored the goals Haaland has scored, but he has been really important for that Arsenal team and he will be a major factor if they do win the two of them.’
For now, all eyes will be on Manchester City as they look to pull within two points of Arsenal with a win against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
But if Pep Guardiola’s side drop points, then Arsenal know that a win against Burnley on Monday will see them crowned champions before the final day.