Thierry Henry explains why Viktor Gyokeres and Arsenal are the ‘perfect match'
Gyokeres signed for the Gunners from Sporting CP for £64m to reenergise Mikel Arteta's attack in what is set up as a 'now or never' type season.
And the 27-year-old managed to get off the mark in pre-season with a powerful header in the 3-0 win over Athletic Club, highlighting a key quality to impress Arsenal legend Henry.
'That instinct and understanding to anticipate the cross [against Athletic], a great header with soft touch to guide it to the other side of the goal – he is a proper No. 9,' Henry said in his Betway Insider blog. 'He is not a Firmino type of 9 that's going to drop into midfield. He wants to be in the box, in between the posts, and he said it himself – please put the ball in the box and serve me.
'You have a guy that's a killer in the box – numbers don't lie – and you have a team that create a lot of chances, so it should be the perfect match, but you have to also understand that sometimes it doesn't click straight away.
'What you want is people to be patient with him, and what is annoying right now is that people are not that patient anymore. They want the guy to perform straight away, score goals straight away and make us win straight away, which doesn't happen often.
'I'm an Arsenal fan, I obviously hope he's going to do well, bang goals for us, and guide us to a title, but he's not going to do that alone. We have seen that goals don't always assure you a title. We've seen guys with mad numbers, but they didn't win anything.
'The team around them has to be good. From what I've seen from him and how he finishes, hopefully it's going to be a great match and we can finally go back to lift that trophy. But as I've said, a lot of teams want to lift that.'
Gyokeres will make his full debut on Sunday against Manchester United, with the Gunners travelling to Old Trafford to kick-start their title challenge after three successive runner-up finishes in the Premier League.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sheff Utd interested in signing Coventry's Thomas
Sheffield United have made a bid for Coventry City defender Bobby Thomas in the region of £ source also said that a bid of £8m has been registered with 24-year-old moved to Coventry from Burnley in the summer of 2023 and signed a four-year is closing in on a century of appearances for the Sky Blues, and played in both of their games so far this season.
The Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Sun
Liverpool vs Bournemouth LIVE SCORE: Gakpo doubles the Reds' lead after Ekitike's strike in Prem opener
LIVERPOOL are now TWO up in this season's Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Hugo Ekitike kept his composure in front of goal before coolly slotting past Petrovic. And Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool's lead with a sublime finish before paying a lovely tribute to Diogo Jota. just now By Sam Dymond Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth 52. Liverpool keep on surging forward now, and Mac Allister almost makes it three with a stunning drive from 25 yards. In fact, only an equally impressive fingertip save from Petrovic keeps the Argentine from the scoresheet. 3 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth 49. The champions are firing once more! This time Hugo Ekitike turns provider, laying the ball into the path of Cody Gakpo on the left of the penalty area. The Dutchman takes it upon himself to weave his way along the edge of the box, and when he sells Marcus Tavernier a dummy, the space opens up for him to caress the ball into the bottom corner of Djordje Petrovic's goal. Lovely stuff! 4 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Cody at the Kop! 27 minutes ago Ken Lawrence on Antonine Semenyo abuse There always has to be an idiot. On a night so full of emotion around the tragic death of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, amidst a belter of a game with Bournemouth really impressive on the counter before Hugo Ekitike's fine Prem debut goal, the last thing the occasion needed was a racist comment. But that is what Antoine Semenyo reported to referee Anthony Taylor that he heard from the crowd. The guilty party or parties should be ashamed of themselves. Disgraceful. 28 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth 42. Milos Kerkez goes into Anthony Taylor's book. The new Liverpool left-back has been diving into challenges all night, and it was only a matter of time before he got one wrong. Diving in on a flying Adam Smith, the Hungarian upends his former captain and is promptly shown a yellow card. 30 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth 41. Bournemouth are showing no signs of being disheartened at falling behind. Andoni Iraola's side are pushing forward, and pursuing an equaliser before the break. 33 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth 39. Ekitike with a second! No! A lovely cross clipped in from the left by Gakpo is met by the towering striker, but he gets himself under the ball and heads over Petrovic's goal. 34 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth 37. A first Premier League goal for Hugo Ekitike! The striker has been all action this evening and deserves this breakthrough strike, and it's one that - unsurprisingly - he makes himself. Dropping deep to exchange passes with Virgil van Dijk, the Frenchman then finds Alexis Mac Allister in space. Receiving a return ball, Ekitike then attempts to nick it past Marcos Senesi on the edge of the Bournemouth penalty area. When the ball this time falls kindly for the new Liverpool man, he bears down on Djordje Petrovic and cooly wrongfoots him with a side-footed finish. 35 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Hugo boss!
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Championship club confirm Brandon Williams signing - as former Manchester United star bids to rebuild his career
Hull City have confirmed the signing of former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams, who has joined the Championship club on a one-year deal. Earlier this month, Daily Mail Sport revealed that the former Red Devils starlet was being chased by clubs in the Championship and overseas. Interest had been piqued by Williams' form and attitude during a trial spell at Hull over the summer. Daily Mail Sport then exclusively revealed that the Tigers look to have won the race for the talented left back, with a medical due in East Yorkshire this week. A deal, with an option to extend his contract by a year, has now been confirmed. Williams said of the move: 'It feels good to be back in the team environment and back on the pitch. Everyone has been very welcoming. It's been a good few weeks but I'm just happy I'm here now and can focus on the football. 'I had a couple of very honest meetings with the manager. We know it's going to be a process to get fully back up to speed, having that time out. It had been 20 months since I played or was involved with a team. 'I appreciated the manager's honesty. Now, it's down to me to work hard and get as many games as I can. 'It was very difficult (taking a break from football) – mentally and physically. It's been a long road back, but probably something I needed. Now, I'm back here a different person. 'I've grown up a lot and I'm ready to just focus on the football. I've missed it. I'm hungry, I'm fiery. I know what quality I can bring to the team. As soon as I get back to that, I'm sure I'll be an asset to the team. 'I've put in the work and gained the trust of the manager, the people above him and the coaching staff. 'Now, I've got to show it to the fans and my team-mates to prove I'm here to work hard and help the team get results.' Williams burst onto the scene at Old Trafford, making his debut at just 19 and winning rave reviews for his tenacity. He has been without a club for a year since the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford. Williams made 21 Premier League appearances for United, and had loan spells at Ipswich Town and Norwich City. Earlier this year he expressed his desire to restart his career after being handed a suspended jail sentence for a 99mph car crash. Williams admitted charges of dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
