The 30-year-old has been red-hot for the Red Knights, despite concerns over his fitness, racking up six goals in seven appearances in all competitions.
His form belies the question marks that cast a shadow over his return to the Emirates – with just 12 goals scored in 30 games during an injury-plagued year with Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG. There were also reports the former Sunderland striker failed a medical with Championship side Reading before his UAE return.
But the man who bagged 95 goals in 83 AGL appearances for Al Ain between 2012-15 insists he’s just getting started.
“I’m starting to get back to the level I want to be at, because of my recovery,” said Gyan, who has 48 goals in 95 caps for the Black Stars.
“Now I can recover earlier than the previous weeks, which is very, very good for me. And I hope everything continues. I just need to stay on the pitch, make sure I work hard every day and everything will come naturally. I’m confident that, with my quality, anytime I stay on the pitch I’m sure I can deliver.”
Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu must have been cursing his luck when Gyan was stretchered off in the Emirati-Moroccan Super Cup earlier this month – having earlier scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against FUS Rabat.
There was no serious injury though and Gyan was back among the goals after the international break, scoring in a 4-1 thrashing of Dibba Al Fujairah on Saturday.
“I’m feeling good. I overstretched in the last game against the Moroccan side and thought it was a big injury, but the scan showed it wasn’t that serious,” added Gyan.
“It wasn’t a tear. I had to stay out for two days and had to recover. But I’m happy to be back on the pitch because I don’t need this right now.”
He certainly doesn’t, and neither do the champions. The Red Knights travel to the AGL’s early season pacesetters Al Shabab on Friday, and Gyan says he and his teammates want to maintain their winning habit having triumphed in their first three games.
“At the end of the day we should make sure we win and that’s what we’re doing right now,” said Gyan.
“It’s very, very important for the team. We’ve played three games we’ve won three and we’ve one outstanding. It’s good that we’re still winning, we’ve kept that winning record. It’s good for the team, it’s good for the club.
“It builds our confidence and that’s what we should be doing. We should have this winning mentality whether we’re playing good or bad.”
