Rio Ferdinand disagrees with Gary Lineker over Arsenal's £64m 'flat-track bully'

Rio Ferdinand Disagrees with Gary Lineker on Arsenal's £64m Signing

Gary Lineker believes Viktor Gyokeres needs to start scoring against "top teams" to avoid being labelled a "flat-track bully." However, Rio Ferdinand is confident the striker will lead Arsenal to a Premier League title.

Mixed Reactions to Gyokeres' Early Performances

Arsenal secured the Sweden international from Sporting Lisbon for £64 million. Fans and pundits remain divided over his impact. While he receives praise for his work rate, tenacity, hold-up play, and ability to unsettle defenses, his goal tally is modest. Gyokeres has scored six goals in 14 appearances across all competitions, with four Premier League goals coming against teams near the bottom of the table, including Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Burnley.

The "Flat-Track Bully" Debate

The term "flat-track bully" refers to players who perform well against weaker opposition but fail in big matches. Some have applied this label to Gyokeres due to his goal distribution.

“I don’t want to call him a flat-track bully, that’s a bit unfair,” said former England striker Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football.

Ferdinand's Take

Contrary to concerns, Rio Ferdinand believes there is no need to worry and predicts that Gyokeres will be instrumental in Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title.

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“He will win the Premier League for Arsenal,” said Rio Ferdinand, expressing strong confidence in Gyokeres.

Author's summary: Despite mixed reviews, Rio Ferdinand firmly believes Viktor Gyokeres will prove crucial to Arsenal’s Premier League success, challenging criticisms of his performance.

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Metro.co.uk Metro.co.uk — 2025-11-04

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