Michael Owen believes the recent form of Viktor Gyokeres warrants a recall from Mikel Arteta for Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Following their league triumph last weekend, Arsenal will now attempt to secure a famous double on Saturday when they face PSG in their first Champions League final in 20 years.
The Gunners were knocked out by the Parisian side in the semi-finals last year, and Luis Enrique’s side are the slight favourites to defend the crown they won comprehensively against Inter last year in Munich.
But Arsenal have yet to lose a match in this season’s competition and looked impressive when knocking out Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.
Gyokeres, in particular, produced two impressive displays against Atletico, scoring when the two sides met in the Spanish capital for the first leg before delivering a man-of-the-match display as Arsenal prevailed back at the Emirates a week later.
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The 27-year-old was dropped to the bench for Arsenal’s last two league games against Burnley and Crystal Palace, but Owen believes Arteta must return the Swede to his starting lineup for Saturday’s blockbuster final.
“I think Gyokeres has to start in the Champions League final, 100 per cent yes,” Owen told Metro.
“He has been in outstanding form, scoring goals, contributing to goals and leading the line really well in recent weeks, and he is now a real threat up front for Arsenal.
“In the Champions League semi-finals, he played well, and I think he can cause PSG problems as defensively they aren’t as strong.”
Regardless of Saturday’s result, a first league triumph in 22 years will see this season go down in the history books for Arsenal.
And Owen believes that the club does not need to throw their weight around in the transfer market this summer as they prepare to defend their league title next season.
