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Arsenal paid a lot of money to bring striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Gyokeres had scored many goals in Portugal, almost one per game. But in his first season in the Premier League, he has scored only about 11 goals in 29 league games. Arsenal fans wanted more from such an expensive player, in comes the talk about Joao Pedro.
What the Experts Say about Joao Pedro?
Former England defender Joleon Lescott has spoken out. He thinks Arsenal made a mistake by choosing Gyokeres. Lescott said on Sky Bet that a big-money striker like this should start every big game. He believes Arsenal should have picked different players who are doing better now. Lescott named two strikers: Hugo Ekitike, who joined Liverpool, and a £60 million Chelsea star, Joao Pedro. He wondered why Arsenal did not go for them instead.
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Joao Pedro moved to Chelsea for £60 million from Brighton. Pedro has been very good for Chelsea, scoring 19 goals in all competitions this season. In the Premier League alone, he has around 10 goals and some assists too. Pedro is quick, scores with both feet, and links well with other players. Lescott said he does not know why Arsenal missed out on him. Many think Pedro has fitted into the Premier League much faster than Gyokeres.
Lescott also pointed to Hugo Ekitike at Liverpool. Ekitike cost a bit more, close to £80 million, but he has scored 17 goals in all competitions. Like Pedro, he has shown he can do well in England right away. Lescott said it is easy to look back now, but these two looked like strong choices at the time.
Arsenal needed a new striker badly. Mikel Arteta and the team bosses thought Gyokeres was the best available. He was strong, scored lots of goals in Portugal, and could play as a lone striker. They paid big money because they saw him as the missing piece for their attack.
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Where Arsenal Went Wrong?
Arsenal are still doing well in the league, with a good points gap over some rivals. But the striker position remains a worry. As per reportsGyokeres is working hard and has shown flashes of quality. The team is giving him time to settle.
Still, talks like Lescott’s make fans think “what if?” What if they had signed Joao Pedro? Would Arsenal have more goals and be closer to winning the Premier League? Pedro is shining at Chelsea, showing he can handle the big stage while Ekitike is doing the same at Liverpool. These players have settled faster in English football.
Moreover, moving from the Portuguese league to the tough Premier League is not easy. The games are faster and defenders are stronger. Gyokeres has found it hard to get the same form. He sometimes looks lost and has been dropped from the team.
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Looking Ahead for Gyokeres
It is still early to say the Gyokeres signing is a total failure as big transfers can take time. He might improve next season and become the star Arsenal want. But right now, the words from Joleon Lescott and others hurt. They remind everyone that Arsenal had choice of £60m Chelsea star Joao Pedro who is scoring freely and looking like a smart buy.
Arsenal fans hope their striker finds his best form soon as the team needs goals to chase silverware. Only time will tell if Gyokeres becomes a football club hero or if the club really should have picked someone else.
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