A late penalty secured a narrow victory for Arsenal against Everton, but the performance of their star summer signing, Viktor Gyokeres, drew sharp criticism from seasoned pundit Jamie Redknapp.
Despite converting the winning spot-kick – his fifth Premier League goal of the season – Redknapp questioned Gyokeres’ overall contribution, highlighting a struggle to impose himself against a resilient Everton defense led by Michael Keane and James Tarkowski.
Redknapp observed a surprising lack of physical dominance from the powerfully built striker, noting his infrequent success in one-on-one duels. He expected Gyokeres to leverage his size to overpower opponents, a key attribute that seemed absent from his game.
Beyond the physical battle, Redknapp pinpointed deficiencies in Gyokeres’ technical skills. His touch, ability to hold up the ball, and link-up play were deemed “not good enough” for a player commanding a £64 million price tag.
The analysis suggested a disconnect between expectation and execution. While Gyokeres possesses goal-scoring instincts, evidenced by strikes against Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Burnley, Redknapp believes he’s currently battling the demanding physicality of the Premier League.
Redknapp acknowledged Gyokeres isn’t expected to replicate the artistry of a Dennis Bergkamp, but stressed the need for him to fulfill his role as a powerful, impactful presence. He needs to win games through decisive, open-play goals, not just penalties.
The pundit concluded that Gyokeres is currently performing “okay,” but needs a boost of confidence to truly justify his substantial transfer fee and become the game-changing force Arsenal envisioned.
