Theo Walcott says whether he thinks Viktor Gyokeres will start for Arsenal against Manchester United

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During Sunday’s match between Arsenal and Manchester United, there will be a lot of eyes on new signing Viktor Gyokeres.

Over the years, many have felt as if Mikel Arteta’s ambitions to win serious silverware have fallen down at Arsenal owing to the lack of a proper number nine.

But after signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, Arsenal now have exactly that.

On their part, Man United have signed Benjamin Sesko, the other striker who was top of Arsenal’s shortlist all summer as well.

Rasmus Hojlund looks set to leave Man United as a result, and the striker merry-go-round has been in full swing in the Premier League.

Theo Walcott thinks Arsenal will start Kai Havertz instead of Viktor Gyokeres

That being said, Arsenal do still have Kai Havertz at their disposal to operate as a number nine as well as Gyokeres.

And although Arsenal fans will be eager to see Gyokeres start immediately at Old Trafford, that may not be the case.

And when speaking on the ‘It’s Called Soccer!’ podcast, former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has confessed that he actually thinks Havertz will lead the line on Sunday.

Speaking alongside host Rebecca Lowe, Walcott said: “I don’t know how everyone else thinks about this, but I feel he may start Havertz at the weekend.

Lowe replied: “Hang on, instead of Gyokeres?”

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Walcott: “I just think, look, hear me out here for a second. People will be screaming, what are you on about? Look, I get it.”

Lowe: “We’ve waited like five years for a number nine!”

Walcott: “I get it, but I’m just looking at the fact that you’re going to Old Trafford first game of the season, they have got a new dynamic, new team, they’ve had a quite good pre-season to be honest, and what they’ve added to the team.

“That pressure alone is going to be tough for him, and imagine he gets dragged off.

“Look, I think it’ll be a very tight game anyway, but Havertz understands Old Trafford, he understands the league.

“They have those connections – he may play with him, I would like to see Gyokeres play, but I get the impression that Havertz might.”

Kai Havertz has never scored against Manchester United

Surprisingly, Gyokeres has actually played against United before.

Gyokeres was replaced by Leandro Trossard in a 3-0 defeat to United in the EFL Cup back in 2020 whilst he was still playing for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Of course, the Swede has come a long way since he was a fairly frustrated young striker down on the English south coast – hence why Arsenal have now paid so much to sign him.

But on Havertz’s part, who has faced United seven times as a senior player, he’s never actually scored against the Red Devils.

In seven games for both Chelsea and Arsenal, Havertz has gone goalless, which perhaps might factor into Arteta’s thinking on Sunday.

In many ways, Walcott is right, the sensible option would be to deploy Havertz at Old Trafford, with Gyokeres then perhaps making his full debut against Leeds United at home the following weekend.

But after Arteta lauded Gyokeres’ ability in pre-season, perhaps he is tempted to throw him in straight away.