Former England defender Joleon Lescott has suggested that Arsenal made a mistake in last summer’s transfer window, claiming the club should have prioritised a move for João Pedro instead of signing Viktor Gyökeres.
Speaking during a live broadcast this week, Lescott argued that Pedro’s technical ability, versatility and Premier League experience would have made him a more natural fit for Mikel Arteta’s system. He suggested the Chelsea forward possessed “the type of link-up play Arsenal have been crying out for,” adding that Pedro’s mobility would have allowed the Gunners’ wide players to flourish more consistently.
Arsenal invested heavily to bring Gyökeres to the Emirates, with the Swedish striker arriving on the back of a prolific season abroad. While he has produced important moments, questions have been raised in some quarters of the media about whether his overall profile fully aligns with Arteta’s possession-dominant approach. Lescott believes Pedro, who has impressed at Chelsea this season, should have been the club’s top target.
Chelsea’s Pedro has become one of the Premier League’s most dynamic young forwards, capable of playing as a striker, second striker or wide attacker. His development has accelerated rapidly under the London club’s management, and his blend of technical sharpness and close control has attracted praise from across the league
‘I thought Viktor Gyokeres was brought in to start for Arsenal,’ former England, Manchester City, Wolves and Everton defender Joleon Lescott told https://skybet.com/.
‘You’re not spending that amount of money, having identified that position, for him not to play. Surely, he’s been brought in to play in all the big games.
‘They brought in Gyokeres because they thought he was the best of the available strikers.
‘It’s easy to say now that Arsenal should have gone for Hugo Ekitike. Joao Pedro is another striker I don’t know why Arsenal didn’t buy.’
Did Arteta make the right call choosing Gyökeres over Pedro?
Gyökeres offers power, directness and a more traditional No.9 presence, qualities Arsenal have sometimes lacked in recent seasons. His ability to run in behind and attack crosses gives the Gunners an outlet they previously did not possess. In matches where physicality and penalty-box presence are essential, he fits the tactical plan.
Pedro, however, is undoubtedly the more fluid, creative and technically polished forward. He links play better, is more unpredictable in tight areas and aligns more closely with Arsenal’s short-passing combinations. In that sense, he may indeed have offered stylistic advantages.
Ultimately, Arteta’s decision depends on what he believed the squad needed most. If the priority was a physical, goal-scoring presence, Gyökeres was the correct choice. If the aim was to enhance fluidity and creativity through the middle, Pedro might well have been the better fit.
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