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

Rio Ferdinand Disagrees with Gary Lineker Over Arsenal's £64m Striker

Gary Lineker has suggested that Viktor Gyokeres needs to start scoring against "top teams" to avoid the label of a "flat-track bully." However, Rio Ferdinand disagrees and believes Gyokeres will help Arsenal win the Premier League.

Gyokeres' Early Impact at Arsenal

Arsenal signed the Sweden international from Sporting Lisbon for £64 million. His beginning has sparked mixed reactions among fans and experts. While praised for his work rate, persistence, hold-up play, and defensive disruption, his goal tally remains modest.

Debate Over the "Flat-Track Bully" Label

The term "flat-track bully" refers to players who excel against weaker opposition but fail in bigger matches. Some critics have applied this term to the 27-year-old striker.

“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.

In contrast, Rio Ferdinand remains confident in Gyokeres’ ability, seeing him as a key figure in Arsenal's title challenge.

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“I am convinced the striker will win the Premier League for Arsenal,” said Rio Ferdinand.

Author's summary: Despite mixed reviews, Rio Ferdinand is confident Viktor Gyokeres will play a crucial role in Arsenal's Premier League title pursuit, rejecting doubts about his performance against top teams.

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Metro.co.uk Metro.co.uk — 2025-11-04

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