Arsenal legend Paul Merson has dropped a bombshell about the Gunners' current top scorer. Despite bagging 11 goals in all competitions this season, Viktor Gyokeres apparently doesn't have the trust of his teammates.
Merson's claim is pretty shocking when you think about it. Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting CP for around £64 million and leads the club's scoring charts. But according to the former midfielder, his teammates simply won't pass to him.
"Arsenal don't trust him and the players never pass to him," Merson said on The Overlap. "You watch him next time; he comes short they go no. When I watch the game, he comes short and they don't give it to him."
This is interesting stuff for anyone looking at Arsenal's title chances. The Gunners are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, six points clear of Manchester City. But if there's discord around their top scorer, that could become a problem down the stretch.
Can Arsenal Finally Win the Title?
Merson still backs Arsenal to lift the trophy this season. "I want Arsenal to win the league this season and Arsenal will win the league this season," he declared. It would end three consecutive years of finishing as runners-up.
The criticism of Gyokeres centers on his all-round game in the Premier League specifically. Yes, he's scoring goals, but if the team chemistry isn't there, it could impact Arsenal's odds of maintaining their lead. Six points sounds comfortable, but we've seen bigger leads disappear.
Merson's Other Football Takes
The pundit also shared his thoughts on England's World Cup chances this summer. He'd like to see Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins playing together up front against certain opponents. "It might be better sometimes just to play two up front," Merson suggested.
Interestingly, Merson also revealed he's apologized to players twice during his time on Soccer Saturday. Harry Maguire got a call after Merson criticized his Manchester United signing. James Maddison received one after Merson felt he went too hard on the midfielder's performance in a north London derby.
As for Arsenal right now, they're in the driver's seat despite any potential Gyokeres drama. But keep an eye on how often the Swedish striker gets service in upcoming matches. If Merson's right about the lack of trust, it's something that needs fixing before the pressure really mounts.
