Arsenal Could Have Won the Premier League Without Signing Gyokeres Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival at Arsenal in a £70 million deal from Sporting has sparked debate over the Gunners’ title chances, with former Czech legend Vladimir Smicer suggesting the club might have secured the Premier League crown by signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick instead. Smicer, a Champions League winner with Bohemians and a former Liverpool midfielder, argued that Schick’s superior finishing ability would have made a critical difference in key moments of the season. Despite Arsenal’s current 9-point lead in the Premier League table, Smicer criticized Gyokeres’ early-season struggles, noting the Swedish forward’s inconsistent goal-scoring record. The 28-year-old has netted 17 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions this season, but his tally of just five Premier League goals in the first half of the campaign has drawn scrutiny. In contrast, Schick, who has scored 16 goals in 35 Bundesliga matches for Leverkusen, is regarded as a more reliable finisher. Smicer emphasized Schick’s technical prowess, describing him as “a classic striker” with exceptional intelligence in the box and a “very good left foot.” The former Czech international’s comments came during an interview with BetVictor, where he expressed confidence that Schick’s presence would have altered the league’s outcome. “With the same opportunities, he would have scored far more goals,” Smicer stated. “I’m certain of that because he’s a much better finisher. I’d still like to see him in the Premier League.” Smicer’s critique highlights a broader discussion about Arsenal’s tactical approach and player selection.#arsenal #premier_league #sporting #viktor_gyokeres #patrik_schick
