'Not quick enough': Martin Keown says £67m striker Arsenal reportedly want to sign is way too slow for them

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Since Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Arsenal have lacked a striker on their books who guarantees goals.

Kai Havertz’s decline has been noticed, with the German scoring scoring just five Premier League goals this season.

Gabriel Jesus is a “nightmare” to face in and around the box due to his sublime footwork and ability to bring others into play but as an out-and-out goalscorer, he is yet to convince.

Traditionally, every team that has ever won the Premier League title, including the Gunners have been fronted by a ruthless goalscorer who dispatched at least 20 goals and led them to domestic glory.

As a result, Arsenal are interested in Viktor Gyokeres, who is having an outstanding season at Sporting CP.

Gyokeres has been tipped to leave Sporting in the summer of 2025 as well.

Arsenal urged to avoid Viktor Gyokeres transfer

This season, the Swedish marksman has scored 26 goals in all competitions.

Gyokeres could be allowed to leave Sporting for a £67 million fee in the summer.

But while speaking to The Oxford Mail, Martin Keown suggested Arsenal to steer clear of Gyokeres’ signature as the former English defender feels he lacks pace.

“The players who are there at the moment need to start scoring goals fast don't they otherwise Mikel will put his hands in his pocket and buy a forward.”

Keown added and then laughed: “[Gyokeres] is not quick enough and he wouldn’t have been quick enough in my day.”

The Arsenal legend’s comments could take many by surprise, considering Gyokeres is renowned for his frightening pace.

The in-form marksman’s opening goal in Sporting’s 4-1 win against Manchester City was an example of how quick he is, as he darted past the opposition defence in a flash.

David Raya said Gyokeres is a ‘top player’

Ahead of Arsenal’s 5-1 annihilation of the Portuguese giants, David Raya was full of praise for Gyokeres.

Raya said via HaytersTV: “Well, we know his strengths, we know he runs a lot in behind, he scores a lot of goals in one-v-ones and of course, he’s a top player, he’s in form.”

The Spaniard’s assessment came from studying the highly-rated number nine’s game.

Considering Raya pinpointed Gyokeres being an outlet indicates that his pace is one of his strongest assets.

How he adapts to Premier League football is a mystery but the in-form finisher’s speed is certainly not.