Michael Owen: Gyokeres’ Arsenal Impact Crucial for Title Race, Liverpool Dominance Looms Otherwise
London, UK – Former Premier League star Michael Owen has pinpointed new Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres as the linchpin for a potential Premier League title challenge, stating that Liverpool will likely reign supreme unless the Swedish international can deliver immediate success at the Emirates.
Gyokeres, a โฌ73.5 million acquisition from Sporting CP, arrives at Arsenal with immense pressure too solve their long-standing need for a prolific center-forward. The transfer saga itself was fraught with drama, including gyokeres reportedly going on strike to force the move and his agent, hasan Cetinkaya, allegedly waiving his โฌ7 million commission to facilitate negotiations.
owen, speaking on talkSPORT, acknowledged the weight of expectation on the 26-year-old. “The pressure on him [Gyokeres] is amazing,” Owen stated. “Because Arsenal have been needing a centre forward for a long time now, and all of a sudden they’ve got one, everybody thinks right that’s the missing piece of the jigsaw.”
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker also noted the symbolic meaning of Gyokeres inheriting the iconic number 14 shirt, previously worn by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. “He’s then gone and taken number 14, which just adds a load of pressure on with thierry Henry, in his shadow in many ways.”
Owen’s stark prediction is clear: “But if, if he strikes and he’s good, then Arsenal are serious challengers again.But if not, then I can’t see anything but Liverpool.”
This assessment comes as Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of securing their own meaningful transfer, with Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak said to be keen on a move to Anfield.Isak has reportedly informed Newcastle of his desire to leave, with Liverpool prepared to offer a British record fee for the Swedish forward. This potential move would add to Liverpool’s already impressive recruitment drive, which includes the signings of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Etikike.Defending Isak’s potential desire for a move, Owen drew parallels to his own career decisions.”If any decent player becomes available,the big boys come and eventually they move,” he explained. “It’s sad because you want competition in football. But you put yourself in a player’s point of view. If you didn’t have ambition, then football would be nothing. You’ve got one short career trying to win as much as you can, trying to get to the best team.”
Owen elaborated on the motivations of professional footballers, stating, “most footballers just want to be in the best teams, in the best competitions and winning trophies. Unfortunately, this scenario will never, ever change.” He reminisced about his own controversial move from Liverpool to Real Madrid, admitting, “Real Madrid is a glamour club, but I never had any thoughts or dreams about playing for them. When I got wind of their interest, I had mixed emotions. There was pride that a club like that was inter…”
The upcoming Premier League season is shaping up to be a interesting battle, with the success of new signings like Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal and the potential arrival of Alexander Isak at Liverpool poised to dictate the title race narrative.
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