Arsenal hero Nigel Winterburn makes Julian Alvarez prediction after tough start for Viktor Gyokeres | Football

Nigel Winterburn says he doesn’t expect Arsenal to strengthen up front in the January transfer window unless Viktor Gyokeres is allowed to leave the club this winter.

Gyokeres has blown hot and cold since arriving at the Emirates in a £64million move from Sporting in July 2025 – and it’s fair to say the jury is still out on Arsenal’s big-money signing.

The Sweden international was identified as Arsenal’s top target after taking Portuguese football by storm across an exceptional two-year spell in Lisbon, in which he racked up 97 goals in 102 appearances to help steer Sporting to back-to-back league titles.

In May, Gyokeres added another winners’ medal to his collection as the Gunners held off Manchester City to end the club’s painful 22-year wait for a Premier League crown.

Gyokeres finished his debut season with 14 top-flight goals to his name, on the face of it a respectable number for a striker whose only previous experience of English football came in the Championship with Coventry City.

However, lingering doubts surrounding Gyokeres’ overall technical ability mean questions remain over the attacker’s hefty price tag, with Mikel Arteta favouring Kai Havertz as a false nine when both players are fit and available.

‘The discussion around Gyokeres is mixed, even among Arsenal supporters,’ ex-Arsenal full-back Winterburn exclusively told Metro courtesy of Pay by Mobile at Casino Kings.

‘I thought he looked uncomfortable at Arsenal at the start of last season, but he did very well in the last couple of months.

‘A lot of Arsenal’s games last year were more defensive-minded than open and attacking, which probably didn’t help him.

‘I’m not surprised Havertz has started. I think Arteta likes his movement and link-up play.’

According to Winterburn, questions will continue to be asked over Arsenal’s decision to spend big on Gyokeres as long as the Swede remains on the periphery.

He added: ‘When you spend that much money expecting an out-and-out striker, questions will always be asked about whether it was the right signing.

‘There was also the link with Julian Alvarez over the summer. Until Gyokeres starts playing regularly, those questions will continue to be asked of both me and Mikel Arteta.’

Arsenal were credited with a strong interest in Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez towards the end of the summer, though the Argentine made it clear Barcelona was his favoured transfer – a move he was ultimately denied.

Asked if he was aware of any players on the market who could come in and replace Gyokeres, Winterburn replied: ‘It depends on whether Gyokeres leaves. If he doesn’t, I don’t see Arsenal bringing anybody else in.

‘If you compare Alvarez and Gyokeres purely on goalscoring record, I don’t think there’s a significant difference.

‘There aren’t many truly top strikers when you judge them against Haaland and Harry Kane. Haaland scores roughly a goal a game. Kane’s record is probably similar.

‘The rest are closer to a goal every two and a half to three games.

‘So what are you looking for? Someone who gives you a similar goalscoring ratio but perhaps links play better? Those questions are difficult to answer from outside the club.’

Earlier this week, ex-Arsenal defender David O’Leary voiced his concerns over Bukayo Saka, suggesting the England winger had not been the ‘player he once was’ for some time.

O’Leary also accused Saka of ‘going down too easily’ and said the attacker was no longer playing with the same ‘positivity’ which had made him one of the most feared wide players in Premier League football.

Asked if he agreed with his former team-mate’s remarks, Winterburn replied: ‘Don’t they all go down easily? Every Premier League player does it.

‘I was watching the Everton game on Sunday and saw a five-foot-ten player against someone six-foot-four; there was a little shove in the back and the reaction was theatrical.

‘The modern game is less physical, and players sometimes look to win free-kicks.

‘Saka was remarkably consistent from when he came into the team until last year, when he picked up a couple of significant injuries. That can disrupt your rhythm.

‘He’s still trying to find his previous form. We’ve seen flashes of it, but not consistently.

‘When a player is that good, you notice a dip more than you would with others. Perhaps a goal or an assist will get him going again, but I also think he needs game time, fitness and confidence in his body.’

Winterburn believes there have been some encouraging signs that Saka is beginning to ‘trust’ his body again in recent matches.

However, the ex-England left-back still wants to see more from Saka, urging Arsenal’s ‘starboy’ to take inspiration from Jeremy Doku’s difference-making performance off the bench for Manchester City against Liverpool on Sunday.

‘If you’re worried a hamstring might go when you sprint at full pace, that doubt can affect you,’ Winterburn went on.

‘He looks more trusting of his explosiveness now than he did towards the end of last season.

‘But we want to see Saka going outside, coming inside and finishing in the far corner, as he can. A bit like Doku did. I can’t deny he isn’t at his best, but I’m pretty sure he’ll get back there if he stays fit.’

Arsenal will hope to carry their momentum from Saturday’s comeback win over Leeds into this evening’s Champions League group-stage tie at home to Ligue 1 outfit Lille.

The reigning English champions must then switch their focus back to Premier League matters with a trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest this weekend.

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