Arsenal fans are ‘a different’ breed and want summer signing Viktor Gyoekres to fail, according to Richard Keys.
The Sweden international joined the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon in a £64million deal back in July but has struggled to replicate the prolific goalscoring form he displayed during his time in Portugal.
After failing to find the back of the net in last night’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth, Gyokeres now gone 12 games in all competitions without a goal from open play.
Billed as the missing piece in the jigsaw upon his arrival, the Sweden international now faces increased competition to maintain his place in Mikel Arteta’s best XI.
Gabriel Jesus has already underlined his case to feature more prominently following his return to fitness following a year out with a knee injury while Kai Havertz is also closing in on making his eagerly anticipated comeback.
While his bustling style and physicality has undoubtedly played a role in Arsenal’s promising campaign to date, it is fair to say his goals return has been hugely underwhelming.
A brace against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League highlighted what he might be capable of but, aside from his matchwinning penalty against Everton, his only other goals have come against teams battling against relegation in Burnley, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking ahead of the win at the Vitality Stadium, beIN Sports pundit Andy Gray argued Arteta was right to persist with Gyokeres and insisted the 27-year-old will come good eventually.
He said: ‘He’s capable of getting 20-plus goals at this club if they use him properly and that’s why I’m glad to see him playing again. I would just keep playing him.
‘If they are winning games you don’t need to change it. You might have to drop a bit, of course you do for his legs and save him a little bit.
‘Let him try and get some rhythm go two or three games and let him get a goal or two and then you’ll see a different Gyokers.’
Keys, however, opined some fans have already seen enough to suggest the former Coventry City striker won’t cut it at Arsenal and are hoping an upgrade might be required before long.
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He said: ‘Arsenal fans are a strange beast. I get the feeling a lot of them are willing him to fail. That’s how they’re built. They are anxious about the fact they’re leading.
‘They’re not necessarily playing attractive football and own goals are being scored to give them wins.
‘I think they are a very different breed to most.’
