Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has lavished high praise on Viktor Einar Gyökeres , insisting the Sweden international is playing a crucial role for the club and remains “one of the best strikers in the world” even as he endures a goal scoring drought in the Premier League.
Rice’s comments came after Arsenal’s 3–2 win over Bournemouth, a result that extended the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League. While Rice scored twice in the match, his first league goals in 296 appearances, he was quick to highlight the importance of Gyökeres’s contribution to the team’s performance.
Addressing criticism of the striker’s recent form, Rice said Gyökeres has been a constant focal point for opposition refences and credited his physical presence and tactical impact. “It’s tough for him, because he’s got two defenders on him all game, all over him… when that space arrives for him and the ball’s arriving at his feet to score goals, he will 100 per cent score,” Rice said.
The Arsenal captain added that the attention Gyökeres draws from defenders shows just how highly he is regarded. “Defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor Gyökeres, because he’s one of the best strikers in the world… trust me, he’s doing unbelievably for us, and we wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
Despite his influence, Gyökeres’s goal scoring tally this season remains modest by his own standards: he has scored four times in 18 league appearances, and seven in all competitions, a return seen as below expectations for a player with his record at Sporting CP.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
