Viktor Gyokeres has made an official switch to Arsenal from Sporting CP for £63.5 million. From soccer fans to hip-hop critics, the 27-year-old forward has become something of a sensation. These days, he sportingly occupies the same fabled No. 14 jersey as previously worn by Arsenal great Thierry Henry. Manager Mikel Arteta would be enthused by Gyokeres’ desire to make the move happen. He thinks this promise was an important part of the deal in order to get the signing.
In Gyokeres’ case, he’s only just climbed aboard Arsenal’s grimy railway car for initial practices. The squad is in the middle of an Asian pre-season tour. Plus, when he joined the club, he flipped the script. The noise and atmosphere will crank to yet another level when they face their arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a clash that will be the first north London derby held outside the UK.
Arteta’s Praise for Gyokeres
Mikel Arteta has been very open about how much he fancies Gyokeres after raving about his mentality and work-ethic all summer. The manager is counting on these qualities to smooth the new clubhouse’s transition as the Royals look to rebound from a disappointing 2020 season in 2021.
“Well, that’s great to hear that especially from someone like Frank that I respect immensely,” said Arteta, referencing comments made by fellow coaches about Gyokeres.
Furthermore, Best said of Gyokeres’ conviction during their conversations that it shone through. “I use the word conviction and that’s the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him,” he stated, emphasizing how Gyokeres immediately resonated with the club’s ethos.
The manager hopes Gyokeres will be fit enough to make a bang on debut on Thursday against Spurs. “And with him and Spurs, I think tomorrow we’re going to start to see the direction that he’s going to take with the team, implementing his vision, his philosophy,” Arteta remarked, hinting at Gyokeres’ potential role in shaping the team’s future.
Anticipation Builds for the North London Derby
The next derby against Tottenham in December will be particularly special as it will usher an exciting new chapter in the fixture’s long, fierce history. This time, this marquee match will happen far away from its usual found home—the UK. From players to fans, everyone’s going to have a special feeling in the air!
“I think it’s a great challenge besides being our biggest rivals and the first North London Derby outside the UK,” he stated.
Along with that Arteta was keen to stress the importance of concentration as his side gears up for this must-win match up. “And of course we need to be focused on what we want to do, what we want to achieve, and I’m sure it’s going to be a great game,” he said.
Gyokeres’ Journey to Arsenal
Gyokeres’ move to Arsenal isn’t just a transfer—it represents his dedication to the club and its tradition. By choosing to wear the iconic No 14 shirt, he has shown a deep connection to Arsenal’s history and aspirations.
Having previously played for Sporting CP, Gyokeres has experience competing at high levels, which Arteta believes will serve him well in the Premier League. His immediate participation in training sessions shows his willingness to get acclimated with the team as fast as possible.
His path to this moment has been paved by a combination of ability and grit. “He straight away felt it, and when you feel it – go for it,” Arteta remarked, encapsulating Gyokeres’ driven nature.
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