Rio Ferdinand has called for patience with Arsenal’s new signing, Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish striker, who joined from Sporting CP in a £64million deal, was handed a start in Arsenal’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford.
However, it proved to be a difficult debut for the new signing, as the Gunners secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United thanks to a Riccardo Calafiori goal.
The former Brighton and Coventry City forward struggled to make an impact and was substituted after 60 minutes, with Kai Havertz coming on in his place.
Following the game, Ferdinand gave his reaction to Gyokeres’ full Arsenal debut on his YouTube channel.
He said: “I’ve seen some of the comments, people saying Gyokeres doesn’t look the part – early in the season, give him five or six games minimum, just to get up to speed.
“Give him time to get up to speed fitness-wise, he’s got to get fit! He probably hasn’t trained with a team since he got to Arsenal because he demanded to leave – bit like Isak now, he won’t be training with the team, he’ll be on his own [at Newcastle].
“The depth now, Havertz coming on, Arsenal have a real opportunity now.”
The Swedish forward was Europe’s most prolific striker last season, scoring 39 league goals, more than any other player across the continent’s top eight leagues.
Yesterday, however, he endured a frustrating outing. Gyokeres managed just 21 touches, only three of which came inside the box. He lost possession 11 times, completed just four of his nine attempted passes, and failed to create a single chance for his teammates.
His duels told a similar story. He won only two of seven on the ground and was beaten in five of his six aerial battles.
