Tusport - News - Rooney’s surprise pick: Gyokeres as Premier League’s most improved

Wayne Rooney has delivered a headline-making verdict on this season’s standout progress in the Premier League, naming Viktor Gyokeres as his pick for the division’s most improved player. Speaking candidly, the former Manchester United captain argued that the forward has brought exactly what Arsenal FC had been missing in recent campaigns: a relentless, direct striker who links play and finishes decisively. Rooney suggested that Arsenal’s near-misses in recent seasons were down to fine margins in the final third, and he believes Gyokeres has changed that dynamic. The assessment was striking not only for the choice itself, but for the way Rooney framed the comparison. He referenced Granit Xhaka—whom he praised as “brilliant for Sunderland”—before pivoting back to what Gyokeres offers Arsenal. The mention raised eyebrows, yet the thrust of his point was clear: physicality, movement, and end-product at centre-forward have become defining factors in lifting Arsenal’s attacking ceiling. From Rooney’s perspective, the Swede’s profile ticks those boxes—pace to attack space, strength to occupy centre-backs, and enough touch and awareness to knit together combinations with midfield runners. Rooney’s remarks also underline a wider conversation about Arsenal FC’s attacking balance. In recent years, their structure and control have been elite, but they have occasionally lacked a punishing edge against deep blocks. A striker who presses from the front, stretches defensive lines, and finishes ruthlessly is, in his view, the missing piece that transforms good performances into title-winning consistency. Beyond pure scoring, Rooney highlighted how an all-action No. 9 can free creative midfielders to receive higher and in more dangerous pockets. He pointed to the value of near-post runs, second-phase duels, and the constant threat across the back line as elements that make wide forwards more unpredictable and the entire front line harder to contain. The former England international’s comments also invite reflection on the wider Premier League landscape. The margins at the top are razor-thin, and iterating the front line—be it through personnel, profiles, or usage—often becomes the swing factor. In praising Gyokeres, Rooney effectively spotlighted the strategic shift many contenders have made: prioritising a striker who mixes aggressive pressing with penalty-box efficiency. As for the reaction, it has been mixed but engaged. Some view Rooney’s pick as a bold endorsement of a forward whose attributes align with Arsenal FC’s evolution; others question the broader claim, pushing back with alternative candidates and statistical counterpoints. Still, Rooney’s reputation as a competitor and his eye for the attacking detail grant the argument weight, whether one agrees or not. The larger takeaway is less about a single name and more about profile fit. In a league where transitions are frequent and set-piece margins matter, a centre-forward who can both accelerate the press and finish phases is a premium asset. Rooney believes that Gyokeres embodies that evolution—and that, more than any individual metric, is what defines ‘most improved’ in a season shaped by tiny differentials. His comments will fuel debate among Arsenal FC fans, neutrals, and even Sunderland AFC supporters mentioned in his remarks. But in true Rooney fashion, the point is unmistakable: in today’s Premier League, the striker who blends power, movement, and ruthlessness can be the separator between falling just short and finally getting over the line.