Declan Rice has warned Arsenal’s rivals that Viktor Gyokeres is “one of the best strikers in the world”, insisting the club’s new forward will soon show his true level despite a difficult start in front of goal.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal in a £64 million move, arriving with a reputation built on prolific scoring and a powerful all-round game. But his early matches in north London have brought more questions than goals, with the striker finding it harder to convert chances than many expected.
Rice, however, has moved to defend his team-mate and believes there is a clear reason behind the slow start. The England midfielder pointed to the demands of settling into a new team and a new league, suggesting that the striker’s overall contribution has still been valuable even when the finishing has not clicked.
“One of the best strikers in the world,” Rice said of Gyokeres, making it clear he expects the forward’s goals to come and that rivals should not take early struggles as a sign of what is to follow.
The midfielder explained that adapting to Arsenal’s style and the rhythm of English football can take time, and indicated that Gyokeres’s performances have been better than the raw numbers suggest. Rice’s message was simple: once the striker settles, Arsenal will be stronger for it.
For now, Arsenal are backing their £64m signing to come good, with Rice’s public support underlining the belief inside the squad that Gyokeres’s form will turn and that opponents will soon feel the impact.
