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‘Monster’ Work Ethic: Ben White Compares Viktor Gyökeres to Martin Ødegaard
Sep
Arsenal’s new striker, Viktor Gyökeres, has quickly made a powerful impression on his teammates, with defender Ben White drawing a remarkable comparison between the Swede’s dedication and that of club captain Martin Ødegaard.
White, a former teammate of Gyökeres at Brighton & Hove Albion, has firmly come to the defense of the £55 million ($74.2 million) summer signing, rebutting recent criticisms regarding his fitness and highlighting his “monstrous” work ethic.
A Familiar Face with a Renewed Drive
White and Gyökeres share a history, having both emerged from Brighton’s academy. While White’s loan spell at Leeds United paved his way to the Seagulls’ first team, Gyökeres endured a series of less impactful temporary stints before truly finding his stride at Sporting CP.
It was in Lisbon that Gyökeres transformed into a prolific goal-scorer, netting a remarkable tally over two seasons that ultimately convinced Arsenal to secure his services. Despite a recent accusation from Swedish media regarding his physical condition after a couple of initial appearances, his commitment behind the scenes has clearly resonated with the Arsenal squad.
Praise from a Teammate: “One of the Most Professional Trainers”
Speaking to Arsenal’s in-house media, White was effusive in his praise for the 27-year-old striker.
“I can’t say a bad word about him to be honest,” White gushed. “He’s one of the most professional trainers I’ve ever seen, he’s right up there with Martin Ødegaard in that respect. It’s great that we have these players coming in, because all this competition for places makes people lift their standards and it makes everyone better.”
This comparison to Ødegaard, renowned for his dedication and leadership, speaks volumes about Gyökeres’s commitment to his craft, even as he adapts to the demands of the Premier League.
A “Monster” with Premier League Experience
Despite questions about his initial conditioning, White is unwavering in his belief that Gyökeres possesses exceptional control over his imposing physique.
“He’s a monster!” the Arsenal defender laughed. “He lives for goals, doesn’t he? He’s a constant threat. You really don’t want to get in his way when you are playing against him, because he’ll just move you out of the way anyway!
White also emphasized the significant advantage of Gyökeres’s prior experience in English football, having played for Coventry City and alongside White at Brighton.
“He’s such a big presence and I think it will be a massive help that he’s already played in English football. You see a lot of people come to the Premier League and they’ve had no taste of what it’s like and it can be a struggle.
“But for Viktor, he’s well used to it. He played at Coventry, and I played loads of games with him at Brighton. So he’s seen it, he knows what it’s going to be like and what to expect from the defenders.”
This familiarity with the physicality and demands of English football could prove crucial as Gyökeres aims to establish himself as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side. With two goals in three Premier League appearances already, the early signs are promising for the powerful Swede.
