Arsenal Missed Out by Not Signing £60m Chelsea Star Over Gyokeres
Former England defender Joleon Lescott has questioned Arsenal’s decision to sign Viktor Gyokeres last summer. He told Sky Bet the club should have targeted alternative strikers instead.
Lescott’s assessment of Gyokeres
Gyokeres arrived at Arsenal for a reported £64m. The 27-year-old joined from Sporting with a strong scoring record in Portugal.
He has managed 11 goals in 29 Premier League appearances this season. Lescott described that output as underwhelming given expectations.
Alternatives Lescott named
Lescott argued Arsenal missed out on other high-profile forwards. He highlighted Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike as better options.
| Player | Destination | Reported fee | Goals since move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viktor Gyokeres | Arsenal | £64m | 11 (Premier League) |
| Joao Pedro | Chelsea | £60m | 19 (all competitions) |
| Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | Just under £80m | 17 (all competitions) |
Lescott said Gyokeres was signed to start big matches. He questioned why the striker has been benched at times.
Why the comparison matters
Joao Pedro made an immediate impact at Chelsea after his £60m switch. Ekitike has also shown strong returns since moving to Liverpool.
Those numbers underpinned Lescott’s view that Arsenal missed out by not signing players like Joao Pedro. He felt the club left goalscoring options untapped.
Eberechi Eze and squad dynamics
Another Arsenal summer signing, Eberechi Eze, struggled initially. His form has improved in recent weeks.
Lescott said Eze has found a role but still seeks consistent rhythm. He cautioned that top-team competition leaves little room for prolonged poor form.
League situation and upcoming fixtures
Arsenal head into a weekend clash with Bournemouth holding a nine-point lead over Manchester City. City retain a game in hand.
The Gunners face a key trip to the Etihad on April 19. That fixture remains pivotal in the title race.
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