Arsenal have been urged to replace Viktor Gyokeres after Micah Richards questioned whether the striker has a future at the club following an underwhelming start in England.
The Sweden international arrived from Sporting Lisbon with a formidable reputation, having scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese side. However, his form has not transferred to Arsenal, where Kai Havertz has generally been preferred by Mikel Arteta.
Havertz has also started ahead of Gyokeres in significant matches, including the Champions League final towards the end of last season. Richards believes Arsenal may now need to strengthen their forward line, particularly with injuries affecting the squad.
Arsenal urged to move on from Viktor Gyokeres
“I think one of the major talking points as well is Gyokeres,” Richards said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“He sort of looks like he has no confidence. I don’t know if the reports in the summer that they tried to get rid of him [were true] or not, but essentially he’s had enough game time to show what he can do now at Arsenal and it’s just not happening for him.”
Richards suggested Arsenal should return to the transfer market in January and find additional cover in attack.
“I think in January, because of the injuries, I definitely think they should go back into the market, and find top cover around,” he said. “I think they need more firepower in that forward area, for sure.”
He added that Gyokeres had repeatedly found himself in promising positions without finishing the chances, and believed a sustained run of matches could help rebuild the striker’s confidence.
“There are so many times where Gyokeres gets in really good positions, and I don’t know if he doesn’t back himself, I don’t know if it’s confidence, I don’t know if the team doesn’t back him to score, but he just, he doesn’t put the ball away,” Richards said.
“And I just feel like he needs one of those opportunities where he plays 90 minutes, he scores, he builds confidence, and it goes from there. Otherwise, you know, they’re going to have to look to move him on.”
Arsenal could still revive their interest in Julian Alvarez in January after targeting the forward during the summer.
