'Liverpool star would have already helped Arsenal win title instead of $75M signing'
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesArsenal FCArsenal have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League table reduced to just two points in recent weeks, and former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole believes Viktor Gyokeres' underwhelming form is a key reasonArsenal boss Mikel Arteta(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)Arsenal would have already claimed the Premier League title had they secured Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike rather than Viktor Gyokeres, according to former Reds midfielder Joe Cole.The Gunners have watched what appeared to be an unassailable lead at the summit of the table be frustratingly eroded in recent days. When they faced Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on April 11 they had the opportunity to go 12 points clear at the top, yet just 11 days later they are at risk of being unseated from first place should Manchester City triumph at Burnley on Wednesday.For many, the underwhelming form of summer recruit Gyokeres has been a contributing factor in that decline, with the striker having impressed only intermittently during his debut season at the club following his $75M move from Sporting Lisbon.READ MORE: 'I managed in the Premier League - this is why Arne Slot firing talk is frankly ridiculous'READ MORE: Ibrahima Konate all but confirms new contract as Liverpool star commits futureThe Swedish forward has netted 18 goals across all competitions, 12 of which have come in the Premier League, yet his performances have frequently fallen short of expectations, prompting debate over whether he is suited to Mikel Arteta's system.Ekitike, by contrast, has been the standout performer amongst Liverpool's summer acquisitions since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.The Frenchman has netted one goal fewer than Gyokeres, scoring 17 in his maiden Reds campaign, but he has won over the Kop faithful, cementing his place in Arne Slot's plans right up until last week's Champions League encounter with his former club Paris Saint-Germain, during which he suffered a devastating Achilles tendon injury expected to sideline him for much of the remainder of 2026.Liverpool are optimistic that Ekitike will return to peak condition once fully recovered, and former Red Cole, who enjoyed far more illustrious stints with West Ham and Chelsea and earned 56 caps for England, is a great admirer of the Frenchman.While discussing Arsenal's weekend loss at Manchester City, and the performances of Gyokeres who was omitted from the starting XI at the Etihad Stadium, on The Dressing Room podcast, Cole said: "Gyokeres was the big signing.Viktor Gyokeres reacts"If Arsenal don't win anything, they have got that signing wrong.
You're coming to the biggest game of the season and you've gone with two No10s, [Kai] Havertz and [Martin] Odegaard, and not with a number nine."Havertz was brilliant, but let's just imagine Ekitike was signed instead of Gyokeres. I think Arsenal would have won the league by now.
Ekitike is a proper player."Gyokeres and the Gunners will be hoping to inject some momentum into their struggling title challenge when they host Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Arsenal FCLiverpool FCHugo Ekitike