Viktor Gyokeres sympathises with Alexander Isak in awkward exchange over Liverpool transfer saga

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres during Sweden's clash against Slovakia. (Image: Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Viktor Gyokeres has defended Alexander Isak, who has been heavily scrutinised following a controversial transfer to Liverpool . Just like the Arsenal striker did at Sporting Clube de Portugal, his fellow countryman essentially went on strike to force a move through from Newcastle United.

Gyokeres dug his heels in at the start of the summer and, also, refused to report for pre-season training while the Gunners wrapped up a deal worth £64m. Meanwhile, Isak missed the Magpies' tour of Asia and trained away from Eddie Howe's side as the season got underway.

The duo were not the only players to have downed tools during the transfer window. Yoane Wissa also threw his toys out of the pram before swapping the G-Tech Community Stadium for St. James' Park on deadline day.

In an interview with Sky Sports , ahead of Sweden's upcoming World Cup qualifiers this month, Gyokeres was asked if he had spoken to Isak . The Arsenal striker said: "I haven't spoken with him too much because he's just come [to the training camp].

"I said 'hi' to him and then congratulated him for the move, and not so much more," added Gyokeres, who was then quizzed on player power. "Yeah, I said earlier about my situation, it can be the same.

"You don't know what has been going on behind [the scenes]. I don't know in his case what has gone on exactly, so it's difficult for me to speak about that. We all play, and the clubs have the most power.

"It is maybe difficult for the players to choose in a lot of cases.

"When it is a player who is not wanted in that club, I think it's the total opposite. He doesn't have any power; the club can literally do whatever they want with the player. It's difficult, but it's how the situation is."

Gyokeres has shared the pitch 12 times with Isak for Sweden - combining to score four goals between them. The Arsenal striker added: "We’ve played a few games together and felt very good in those games.

"He's scored, I've scored and we've assisted each other, so I think it's good to keep going on that path.

"We must keep trying to improve with the team and keep going in that way."

In an separate interview with Sky Sports , Sweden's manager was asked how he plans to fit Gyokeres and Isak into his starting line-up. Jon Dahl Tomasson said: "When I started, there was a lot of noise about those two - 'Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres cannot play together'.

"Of course they can! Great players can always play together.

"It's my task as the coach to get the right scenery where they can perform and express themselves. And they've been great so far.

"Great characters, great personalities, lovely boys to work with. And they like to score goals," Tomasson went on. "They're living for goals. They are two of the best players in the world at making those runs in behind.

"There's of course a bit of a similarity, but also a bit different. Viktor Gyokeres' channel runs is on an extremely high level. Alexander Isak's runs just in behind is on an extremely high level.

"So one is more straight running in behind and the other one is more the general runs at the side from in to out.

"I'm a big believer that if we can create a game where we decide how the game are looking, then we probably get eight opportunities during a game for those players.

"And with the qualities that they have, they will be scoring goals - and we will be happy and pleased in the end..."