Former Real Madrid and England striker Michael Owen has labeled Arsenal the premier football team on the planet, even as he casts doubt on whether summer signing Viktor Gyökeres truly fits Mikel Arteta’s tactical vision. Speaking with Metro, the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner argued that the Gunners’ current collective strength and prolific chance-creation make them the most formidable force in the game today. However, Owen remains unconvinced that the Swedish international provides the definitive “upgrade” required to lead the line during the club’s most critical fixtures.
The pundit suggested that Arsenal’s dominance as a unit often papers over individual attacking deficiencies, noting that the team’s creative engine generates high-quality opportunities for any player leading the attack. While acknowledging Gyökeres as a reliable goalscorer in domestic matches, Owen questioned whether the £64 million forward possesses the “elite class” necessary to displace established stars like Kai Havertz or Gabriel Jesus when silverware is on the line.
“Viktor Gyokeres is not for me, not really really,” Owen said. “I think he will definitely be a source of goals if you play him in every game. But then again, I could probably play in every game for Arsenal; they are the best team at the moment and create a lot of chances. But is he [Viktor Gyokeres] the answer? I’m not so sure. I think if the UEFA Champions League final was tomorrow, would Mikel Arteta play him? Or would he pick Jesus or Havertz? I think so. And that probably answers the question.”
Owen’s assessment comes amid a period of intense scrutiny for Gyökeres, who has struggled to maintain his prolific Sporting CP form since arriving at the Emirates Stadium. The former Liverpool forward pointed out that while the striker may thrive against lower-table opposition, the demands of the Premier League title race and the Champions League knockout stages require a specific level of technical refinement. In Owen’s view, Arteta’s preference for the fluidity offered by Havertz and Jesus in high-stakes games suggests that the search for a permanent long-term number nine may not yet be over.
Despite these reservations about the frontline, Owen reiterated his admiration for the overall structure Arteta has implemented in North London. He believes the Gunners currently set the standard for modern football, combining defensive solidity with an unmatched ability to suffocate opponents through possession. As the club pursues a historic quadruple, Owen maintains that their status as the “world’s best” depends on their collective system rather than the individual exploits of any single attacker.
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