Paul Scholes sends Mikel Arteta telling question about Viktor Gyokeres move - 'Very strange'

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has cast doubt over Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's desire to sign Viktor Gyökeres, expressing concerns over whether he'll adapt to their possession-heavy approach.

Arsenal, who have long been missing a true No. 9, secured the services of Sporting CP star Gyökeres last month for roughly £64million after much speculation throughout the summer.

Despite the Gunners edging out rivals Manchester United for the 27-year-old's signature, Scholes has raised concerns about whether Arteta truly wanted Gyökeres, and if he can thrive in a team that dominates possession.

"[Arsenal needed a] Centre forward, I just wonder if you've chosen the right one," Scholes admitted on when asked about the marksman.

"Because there was a lot of um-ing and ah-ing about it, I wondered if Mikel Arteta really wanted him, as the main one he wants? I'm not too sure, and he's got him now.

"He's had a really strange career path - Brighton, Coventry, and then he's gone to Sporting Lisbon and his goal record is absolutely brilliant – you can't take it away from him."

Gyökeres scored an impressive 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting across all competitions in the last two seasons. However, Scholes questions whether the Gunners' playing style is suitable for him, reports the Mirror.

"If there's any team that he could go to and create chances, then it should be Arsenal and it should be a really good match," continued Scholes.

"The only thing I'd say against Gyökeres really is that with Sporting Lisbon, he's probably playing on the counter-attack a lot, in Europe especially.

"You think of Arsenal, they have the ball an awful lot, is he going to be clever enough to make these runs in behind? A lot of him that you see, he's sprinting from the halfway line almost.

"You can't keep up with him, he's ramming people, he's quick and he's smashing the ball in. Is he going to be that clever striker – we know Isak can do that. Can Gyökeres do that?"

On the other hand, club captain Martin Odegaard believes Gyökeres will do well at the Emirates, as he praised his new team-mate during Arsenal's pre-season trip to Hong Kong.

"I think you've all seen what he's done in his career so far," claimed Odegaard. "Especially the last season at Sporting, the numbers speak for themselves. He's a very complete player. He's physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well.

"I think he's a very complete striker and you can also see the hunger, the energy he brings. I'm really excited to have him with the team. He's only trained a few times, but you can already see the quality, the energy, and the willingness. I'm excited to have a pitch with him."