Wayne Rooney has singled out Viktor Gyokeres as the Premier League's standout recruit after Arsenal clinched the title with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday. The Manchester United legend believes the Swedish striker, despite facing criticism throughout the campaign, represents exactly what the Gunners needed to end their three-year wait for domestic glory.
Speaking on his BBC Sport podcast, Rooney explained Gyokeres' transformative impact on Mikel Arteta's squad. "Look at what Gyokeres has brought to Arsenal—it's exactly what they've needed," the former England captain said. "Finishing second over the last three years, I think he's given Arsenal something a bit different and that's been a big factor in them winning the Premier League." Arsenal invested over £250 million in summer reinforcements to strengthen their challenge across multiple competitions, with Gyokeres arriving as one of their headline acquisitions.
Rooney Backs Arteta's Tactical Evolution
The 38-year-old's endorsement extends beyond individual players to Arsenal's overall approach. Despite criticism of their reliance on set-piece goals, Rooney has "really liked" how the Gunners have performed this season and insists they have "fully deserved" their Premier League crown. He argues that Arteta has ditched the pursuit of Pep Guardiola-style possession football in favour of a more physically imposing, defensively solid unit.
"Everyone now wants to play like Pep's teams," Rooney noted, "but Mikel tried that for three years and didn't win the league. He's changed the recruitment, gone more to a bigger, more physical team, and they don't concede goals. They're solid, have players scoring from all over the pitch, and they fully deserve to win the Premier League." This tactical recalibration marks a significant departure from Arsenal's previous blueprint, prioritising defensive organisation and attacking threat from unexpected sources over traditional passing patterns.
Arsenal's title triumph comes after Manchester City failed to secure victory against Bournemouth, handing the Gunners the chance to seal the championship in midweek. With balance and pragmatism now guiding their strategy, Arsenal have demonstrated that multiple routes to success exist in modern football, setting the stage for fresh challenges ahead.
