Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has praised striker Viktor Gyokeres for “creating havoc” for opponents and suggested the Swede could be pivotal to the Gunners’ UEFA Champions League ambitions this season.

Walcott, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, said Gyokeres’ contribution extends beyond goalscoring.

Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP during the summer transfer window, has already netted three goals for the club.

“A lot of people spoke about him [Viktor Gyokeres] not scoring a lot of goals,” Walcott was quoted by Metro UK as saying.

“But, for me, he is creating havoc, he is creating chances for other people, and he is getting the best out of other players.

“I think it is just that the Premier League is different. I think the Champions League is where Arsenal want to achieve, and he could well be the difference in just occupying defences differently.”