Arsenal have recently agreed a deal with Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP where he will play as the centre-forward for the Gunners. Arsenal has agreed to pay £64 million to acquire his services.
The 27-year-old striker from Sweden has been one of the most prolific strikers in Europe during the last two seasons.
Arsenal supporters will hope that this signing will help them break their Premier League jinx that has lasted for more than two decades now. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has spent the last six seasons at the club with only one title to his name.
Will Viktor Gyokeres Ensure Goals Upfront?
Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting CP, which makes him stand alongside Erling Haaland as the most prolific strikers in Europe. Arsenal have been playing Kai Havertz as their No. 9, with Mikel Merino deputising at times.
However, the lack of a genuine No. 9 has hurt them quite seriously. Havertz has scored 29 goals in 87 matches for the Gunners, which comes to an average of a goal every three matches.
That is certainly not the kind of return one would expect from a striker at an elite club. In comparison, Gyokeres has averaged almost a goal every match, albeit in a less competitive league.
Merino has played as the striker at times and chipped in with a few goals as well. However, Gyokeres’ presence inside the opposition penalty box will be an added impetus for the Gunners.
In fact, not having a proper striker was something that was holding Arsenal back for so long. That was the piece of the jigsaw puzzle that was missing in the setup for Arteta’s men.
With Gyokeres on board, the Gunners will now look to rival the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in terms of scoring goals as well.
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The Gunners Have Had a Very Good Transfer Window
The North London club has already roped in Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke, thus having a very good transfer window. Still, Gyokeres is probably their most cherished signing this summer.
The North Londoners have not had a truly great striker since Thierry Henry. Henry scored almost 230 goals for the club. Since then, the likes of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have played for them with moderate success as the No. 9.
It is now Gyokeres’ chance to exceed the three aforementioned players by scoring a lot of goals for the Gunners. If he manages to get even remotely close to Henry’s record at Arsenal, he will have done a very good job.
Most of Arsenal’s supporters, quite understandably, will have their hopes pinned on the Swedish striker. However, with Liverpool having a great transfer window as well, the job is going to remain difficult for Arteta’s men.
If the Gunners fail to win any trophy next season as well, the pressure on the Spanish manager will intensify. Gyokeres’ signing is, therefore, very important for the London club.
It remains to be seen whether his new team can reap the benefits of the same. With Liverpool getting stronger as a squad, winning the title is still not going to be easy for the Gunners.
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Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date: 25.05.2025