Arsenal thumped local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and Paul Scholes has subsequently expressed his admiration for a member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Gunners were rampant in their 4-1 victory in N17, relentlessly attacking Igor Tudor’s feeble side in what was a much-needed convincing performance. While Manchester City also won over the weekend, and have a game in hand on the league leaders, the result in the North London Derby could prove to be a hugely beneficial morale boost for Arteta’s men, in the context of the title race.
John Terry praised Declan Rice this week after the midfielder delivered a largely positive display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The likes of Cristhian Mosquera and Eberechi Eze also earned plaudits for their contributions to the victory, while Scholes opted to highlight a different individual who impressed him.
Paul Scholes says he’d love to have played with Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres was instrumental in Arsenal’s derby win, enjoying his best performance in a red and white shirt to date. Not only did he take his goals expertly, but he was also highly involved in the Gunners’ build-up play throughout.
Usually a ball-shy player, Gyokeres had 42 touches in this game, constantly running the channels and making himself available for passes in forward areas. This willingness to sprint into dangerous areas and do the dirty work is what endeared him to Manchester United legend Scholes, who was full of praise for the Swede.
Speaking on the Good, the Bad & the Football podcast, the former England international waxed lyrical about Gyokeres’ showing, while also claiming that he’d have loved to have played with the striker.
“I was delighted for him when he scored his two goals because he’s had a lot of c*** hasn’t he?” Nicky Butt initiated.
“A lot of pressure on him and he must’ve had loads of stick off Arsenal fans, about forwards. It’s the forwards they’ve had, and they’ve been looking at him and his two finishes yesterday; he hit them clean as a whistle.”
“The one thing you’d say is that you’d love to play with him,” Scholes chimed in. “I think as a team, and as a teammate, we’d love him. Love him.”
Butt even claimed that if Gyokeres was playing further down the league, then he’d be bought in the summer for in excess of £70 million.
“If Gyokeres is playing for, let’s just say an example of Forest, he gets bought next year for £70 or £80 million because he does that horrible stuff. You know, he’ll chase a lost cause, he’ll hold the ball up, he’ll battle people.”
Mikel Arteta needs to protect Viktor Gyokeres moving forward
If Gyokeres can replicate what he did against Spurs moving forward, then he becomes the undisputed first-choice striker for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus has struggled physically since returning from injury, and could be on the way out come the summer, while Kai Havertz’s ongoing injury issues mean he’s unlikely to feature regularly this season.
What a strike from Viktor Gyökeres?! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ZwjrAbySxE
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 22, 2026
That said, Arteta must be careful with Gyokeres. The 27-year-old’s game relies on his physicality and on the ability to run in behind over and over again, and he simply won’t be able to do this effectively every three days.
Thus, the Gunners boss must protect the player, rotate him in and out of the side consistently, and ensure he doesn’t burn out. If his minutes are carefully managed, then the sky is the limit for what he can produce between now and the end of the season.
