Wayne Rooney has raised eyebrows after leaving out Erling Haaland from his list of the Premier League’s top three players this season — instead opting for Arsenal’s summer signing Viktor Gyökeres.
The Manchester United legend and 2010 PFA Player of the Year has been following the Premier League closely this term as part of his new punditry role. Yet despite Haaland already racking up 14 goals in the campaign, Rooney has chosen to highlight the impact of other standout performers.
In a surprising twist, the former England captain placed Gyökeres third on his list, praising the Swedish striker’s all-round contribution since joining Arsenal in a £64 million move from Sporting Lisbon during the summer.
“Third one, I’d probably go Gyökeres,” Rooney told Amazon Prime Video Sport. “Arsenal have been crying out for a number nine for a few years now, and he’s come in and his work rate, his determination, his hold-up play and obviously scoring a few goals as well.”
Gyökeres hit the ground running at the Emirates, scoring twice on his home debut against Leeds before adding another in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in early September. However, a nine-game goal drought followed for club and country before he rediscovered his scoring touch against Atletico Madrid in October’s 4-0 Champions League victory.
Despite netting only four times in the Premier League so far — six players currently boast better tallies — Wayne Rooney believes Gyökeres’ overall influence makes him one of the league’s best performers to date.
The 27-year-old has been sidelined since November 1 after picking up a hamstring injury in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Burnley. The issue forced him to miss key fixtures against Slavia Prague and Sunderland, as well as Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers versus Switzerland and Slovenia. His fitness remains in question ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham and the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich next week.
Rounding off Rooney’s list, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo took the top two spots.
“Semenyo’s been brilliant for Bournemouth, carrying on his form from last season,” Wayne Rooney said. “And I’d also put Bryan Mbeumo in there — he’s been really good for Manchester United, especially after their tough start.”
