Wayne Rooney names best three players in the Premier League this season

Several prominent players were linked during the summer transfer period before the Gunners finalized a move for Gyokeres, whose prolific scoring record helped Sporting secure a domestic double last season.

Gyokeres has scored four goals in his first ten Premier League outings and added two more in the Champions League — both against Atletico Madrid.

Though there have been some doubts about his agility and technical skills, the Swedish striker’s impact has helped Arsenal build a four-point cushion at the top of the standings after eight matches — and he’ll be keen to increase his goal tally in his first north London derby this weekend.

Still, the club has not confirmed whether Gyokeres will be fit to play against Tottenham, as a hamstring issue has sidelined him for the last two games.

He was also absent from international duty, and Arteta is expected to address his status during Friday’s press conference.

If Gyokeres is unavailable, Arteta could face a difficult selection decision, and Rooney clearly sees the striker’s absence as a significant setback for Arsenal.

Rooney believes the ex-Sporting star ranks among the league’s top performers, alongside Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo.

Asked to name his top three players so far this season, the former Manchester United and England captain told Amazon Prime: ‘Top three, probably Semenyo, I think he’s been brilliant for Bournemouth, carrying on his form from last season.

‘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 Gyokeres has brought more physicality to Arsenal’s attack, six players — Jean-Philippe Mateta, Danny Welbeck, Igor Thiago, Erling Haaland, Semenyo, and Mbeumo — have scored more goals than him in the league this season.

Rooney’s decision to leave Manchester City’s Erling Haaland off his top-three list has puzzled some fans.

Haaland has been in sensational form, scoring 14 goals in his first eight matches — six more than his closest competitor.

He’ll look to add to that tally when Pep Guardiola’s team visits St James’ Park to face a struggling Newcastle side on Saturday.

Speaking on a recent episode of The Overlap, Rooney referred to Haaland as a ‘goalscoring machine’ and noted that his overall play has improved this season.

However, he also pointed out that Haaland can be ‘sloppy’ in certain aspects and still has areas where he can grow.

‘I think his game this season has got better. His hold-up play, his link-up play, is better,’ Rooney said.

‘But in terms goalscoring, he’s just a machine.

‘He’s scoring so many goals that I don’t think you need to see him being what Didier Drogba was. I think Drogba needed that for his game.

‘I don’t think Manchester City are as possession-based now as what they were.

‘I think he’s still a bit sloppy. Technically, he’s not as good as some other players with getting the ball out of his feet and turning and stuff. That’s not been his strength.

‘But I think he’s got a bit better at that this season and he looks a bit leaner I think as well.’