Rice Backs Gyokeres to Deliver as Arsenal Hold Title Advantage Over City and Villa

Arsenal's six-point cushion at the summit of the Premier League could yet be tested, with Manchester City positioned to close the gap to four points should they overcome Chelsea in their game in hand on Sunday. But one thing remains certain: Declan Rice is convinced Viktor Gyokeres will be instrumental in keeping the Gunners on course for glory.

The debate surrounding the Swedish forward's impact intensified following Arsenal's 3-2 triumph at Bournemouth on Saturday, a match that saw Rice himself grab a brace to complement Gabriel Magalhaes's opening goal. Gyokeres started the encounter—his 19th outing across all competitions this season—but once again proved a point of contention among observers.

Paul Merson, the Arsenal legend turned pundit, remains unconvinced that Gyokeres possesses the clinical finishing required to carry the Gunners through a gruelling title run-in. The former striker, speaking on Sky Sports, questioned whether the man signed from Sporting CP for £63.5m in the summer window could deliver when the pressure mounts most intensely.

"Up front, I don't think Arsenal have a natural goalscorer," Merson declared. "Gyokeres has come in and is supposed to be that player, but I don't think he's a natural goalscorer. He's never tapping balls in, he's not got a lot of goals, fullstop."

With five league goals across 18 appearances, Gyokeres has hardly set the division alight. Merson suggests that when the final eight matches arrive and nerves fray, Arsenal may find themselves desperately missing a clinical finisher capable of conjuring something from nothing. He points to Gabriel Jesus as the nearest equivalent at the club, while also referencing Kai Havertz's potential contribution upon his return from injury.

Yet Rice sees matters entirely differently. The Arsenal captain has emerged as Gyokeres's most vocal supporter, dismissing the notion that the striker represents a weakness in their armoury.

"It's tough for him, because he's got two defenders on him all game," Rice explained following the Bournemouth win. "So he has to use his strength, he has to do all he can to help the team."

Rice highlighted how Gyokeres's positioning and physical presence contributed directly to the opening goal, with his movement off Gabriel Martinelli's flick allowing him to hold possession and feed Martin Odegaard for the crucial breakthrough. That moment, Rice believes, proved pivotal in turning the contest.

Looking ahead, the midfielder remains bullish about Gyokeres's goalscoring prowess. "I see how hard he hits a ball, and when that space arrives for him and the ball's arriving at his feet to score goals, he will 100 per cent score," Rice said.

The fundamental issue, in Rice's estimation, is not Gyokeres's ability but rather the suffocating attention he receives from opposing defences. "Defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor Gyokeres, because he's one of the best strikers in the world," he insisted.

Rice's verdict is unambiguous. "Trust me, he's doing unbelievably for us, and we wouldn't be where we are without him."

With Aston Villa sitting second, six points adrift, and City lurking with a game to spare, Arsenal will need both Rice's midfield prowess and Gyokeres's contributions if they are to fend off their rivals. The Swedish forward's performance over the coming weeks may well settle the argument between Merson and Rice once and for all.