Clash of controversy an ideal way to kick things off

Gunner can breathe life into Boot race

- by ALEX HANKIN

TO the Viktor the spoils as the new Premier League season gets underway.

Arsenal's new signing Viktor Gyokeres has been handed the iconic No.14 worn by Prem legends Thierry Henry (four Golden Boots), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (one Golden Boot) and mighty Martin Keown (wellington boots).

This season's Boot race is going to take a big old number all round - the winner's averaged 26 goals over the past 10 runnings.

It's surprising how very few in this market have any hope of that.

Mo Salah, who was 13-2 to be top scorer ahead of last night’s opener, clearly has the goals in him, but this winter he is expected to miss a run of games to attend the Africa Cup of Nations.

Erling Haaland looks nailed on for a big run. But at 6-4, you might as well just punt him week to week.

Where, or if, Alexander Isak (7-1) will be putting in a shift is anyone's guess. Which leaves Gyokeres - 39 league goals in Portugal last time, 29 the year before. Arsenal were the third-highest scoring side in the Prem last term without a single player hitting double figures. He'll get his chances.

Gyokeres is surely the greatest striker Coventry City ever sold who didn’t go on to present Homes Under The Hammer.