Theo Walcott adamant Arsenal summer signing would have won them the Champions League last season
Arsenal would have won the Champions League had they recruited a summer arrival 12 months earlier, Theo Walcott has claimed.
The Gunners have never won the competition, and could not reach the final last season as they were knocked out by PSG at the semi-final stage.
Mikel Arteta signed eight new players in the summer transfer window, as the Spaniard also aspires to win the Premier League title.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest put them second in the table and they now begin their Champions League campaign at Athletic Bilbao.
Theo Walcott makes bold Champions League claim
Speaking to BBC Sport [15 September], former Arsenal star Walcott believes that a natural goal scorer was the only thing between the Gunners and Champions League glory last season.
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon to address their issues up-front, and Walcott thinks he could have made all the difference.
“I am not just saying this because I am Arsenal, but I do feel that if they had someone like Viktor Gyokeres in the PSG semi-final they lost last season, then they would have won it,” Walcott said.
“When you create danger and put a ball into certain areas, Gyokeres is going to be there. He is that kind of old-school centre-forward that is going to make a difference for them in a lot of games this season.
“Arsenal are not going to draw as many games in the Premier League, and he is so equipped for the Champions League knockout ties as well.
“Add that to the personnel that Arsenal already have, and how strong they are defensively, and that’s why I am backing them to win it.”
Gyokeres played in the Champions League for Sporting last season, and one of his most notable moments was a hat-trick against Manchester City.
Viktor Gyokeres can make the difference this time around
Whilst Gyokeres was not in Arsenal colours last season, the Sweden international could make a huge difference this time around.
Even if he is still adapting to the Premier League and gelling with his team mates, Gyokeres has netted three times in four matches following a successful spell at Sporting.
| Viktor Gyokeres | Stats |
| Appearances | 102 |
| Goals | 97 |
| Assists | 28 |
Gyokeres’ goal against Nottingham Forest was a striker’s finish, in-between the goal posts inside the penalty area, anticipating the cross from Eberechi Eze.
Once Gyokeres is fully up to speed, the 27-year-old could provide the vocal point and natural goal scoring instincts to net the goals required for Champions League glory.
Arsenal have shown over the past few seasons there defensive solidity, and it is now about increasing their goal threat to be able to beat Europe’s elite.