Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has hit back at Gary Lineker’s criticism of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, saying it doesn’t matter whether the Swedish forward scores against top Premier League clubs or not.
Ferdinand’s response comes after Lineker suggested that Gyokeres needs to start delivering in big games to avoid being branded a “flat-track bully.”
The 27-year-old forward, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in a £64 million transfer, has made an impressive start to life in England. He has scored six goals in 14 appearances across all competitions — four against lower-ranked Premier League sides and two in the UEFA Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker had said:
“I don’t want to call him a flat-track bully, that’s a bit unfair. So far, his goals have been against Burnley, Forest and Leeds. Even at Sporting CP, he didn’t score many goals in big games. He needs to show himself against stronger opponents.”
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