‘Bat down the expectations’ – former Arsenal star urges fans to ease pressure on Viktor Gyokeres

We’re at the halfway point of the season, and it’s still Arsenal who lead the way at the top of the Premier League. 

The Gunners followed their statement victory over Aston Villa last week by grinding out a 3-2 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday, thanks to a couple of goals from Declan Rice. 

The win means the North London side is still top of the table, but if there’s one concern for Mikel Arteta, it’s the form of striker Viktor Gyokeres. 

The Swede arrived at the Emirates having netted 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, but has failed to replicate the same kind of numbers since coming back to England, scoring just five times in the league so far this term. 

Yet, former Gunners’ winger Jermaine Pennant has leapt to the defence of the striker. Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to Tonybet Casino Online, Pennant believes too much has been expected of  Arsenal’s newest number 14. 

He said, “I've said this from the start of the season, don't expect numbers that he was getting in the Portuguese league.

“Do not expect anything near there, because the Premier League is a different beast. I keep saying it, Darwin Nunez, he was getting 35 goals in 38 games in his last season at Benfica, and we saw the drop-off at Liverpool.

“You've got to understand, it's not a player who's been playing at the top level of his career. He was playing in League One four years ago at Coventry, then Brighton didn't really play there, and then obviously he's gone to Portugal and made a name for himself. The league is half as competitive as the Premier League.

“I think everyone got blinded by the numbers and what he was doing in Portugal, and that one game in the Champions League where he scored a hat-trick against Man City, I think people genuinely thought there was getting a new Thierry Henry. 

“But no, listen, he's a good player, he's going to score goals, but just, you know, bat the expectations down a bit.”

Gyokeres drew another blank against the Cherries yesterday, but is set to be included once again on Thursday when the Gunners entertain champions Liverpool.

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