Wayne Rooney includes unlikely Arsenal star in picks for top three players this season

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Wayne Rooney has named Viktor Gyokeres as one of his top performing Premier League stars so far this season despite scrutiny over the Arsenal striker's performances.

Gyokeres, 27, joined the Gunners in a blockbuster transfer from Sporting Lisbon in the summer and has scored six times in 14 games. However, question marks remain in some quarters over whether the Sweden international is the man to fire Arsenal to the title this season after three consecutive near misses under Mikel Arteta .

Three of Gyokeres' four Premier League goals this term have come against relegation battlers Leeds and Burnley while others have questioned his all-round game.

Rooney, though, has been impressed enough by the Swede to single him out alongside Antoine Semenyo and Bryan Mbeumo , who have been two of the Premier League's most deadly attackers so far this term.

When he was put on the spot and asked to select his three top performers, The Manchester United and England legend told Amazon Prime : "Top three, probably [Antoine] Semenyo, I think he’s been brilliant for Bournemouth , carrying on his form from last season.

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"I’d also put Bryan Mbeumo in there. I think he’s been really good for Manchester United, even after a difficult start to the season for the club. I think he’s been really good.

"The third one, I’d probably go with Gyokeres. Arsenal have been crying out for a new number nine for a few years now and he’s come in.

"His work-rate and his determination to hold up play and he’s obviously scoring a few goals as well so I’d say that’s my top three."

While Rooney has sung Gyokeres' praises, others have been less impressed. The former Coventry City man was even urged to lose a little weight earlier this week by his compatriot, Stefan Schwarz.

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“Everyone is important, but of course, he has a big presence," Schwarz told Hajper . "He's a strong, physical guy, and a good finisher with both feet.

"Hopefully, he'll start to create and score goals, have a good run, get that real boost, and get a bit lighter because he's a heavy player," he added. "I think that would help."

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