Former Arsenal defender Armand Traore slams Viktor Gyokeres: 'He lacks a killer instinct'

Former Arsenal defender Armand Traore has voiced strong doubts regarding striker Viktor Gyokeres. Despite the forward scoring 21 goals last season to help the club secure the Premier League title, Traore believes the player lacks the commanding leadership and "killer instinct" required at the elite level.

Speaking on the forward's current standing, Traore admitted he would feel entirely comfortable defending against him today. He argued that both Gyokeres and Kai Havertz fail to project the aura that defined top-tier strikers of the past.

Gyokeres, I just don’t get that killer instinct that some of these guys had. I played against Drogba many times. My lord. He had such an aura. It stinks of, 'I’m a leader'. I don’t get that with Gyokeres or Havertz. If I was to play against Gyokeres I wouldn’t be worried. Armand Traore

Traore expanded his critique by drawing a direct comparison to legendary Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, insisting that Gyokeres does not possess the explosive pace required to challenge top defenders. He expressed confidence in his own historical defensive abilities against the current Arsenal forward.

I was a very, very fast player. He could push it past me but there is no way he is getting past. Think of Thierry Henry and Gyokeres, it’s day and night. Try to play against Thierry, either way he goes it’s a problem. These players are a problem. Speed kills and I don’t see that Gyokeres is very quick. Armand Traore