Arsenal lastly ended their lengthy seek for a prolific quantity 9 with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres in the summertime, and Mikel Arteta is silently hoping the Swede can replicate his heroics from Portugal.
Over two sensational campaigns for Sporting CP, Gyokeres scored 97 objectives in 102 appearances — firing Rui Borges’ aspect to a home double final season and motivating sporting director Andrea Berta to splash a possible £64 million on him.
|
Arsenal’s confirmed summer season signings |
Price ticket |
|---|---|
|
Kepa Arrizabalaga |
£5m |
|
Martin Zubimendi |
£60m |
|
Christian Norgaard |
£15m |
|
Noni Madueke |
£52m |
|
Cristhian Mosquera |
£13m |
|
Viktor Gyokeres |
£55m |
|
Eberechi Eze |
£67.5m |
|
Piero Hincapie |
Mortgage |
The Gunners agreed to pay a assured £55 million, plus an extra £9 million in potential add-ons for the 27-year-old, and you may make a critical case that this comes as a discount charge.
Gyokeres’ confirmed goalscoring consistency in one among Europe’s high 5 leagues, to not point out the very fact he is at present within the prime of his profession, emphasise how Berta doubtlessly secured one of many signings of the summer season.
The previous Coventry Metropolis and Swansea Metropolis star additionally has some expertise in England already, with Berta reportedly persuading Arsenal to maneuver for Gyokeres over fellow long-time striker goal Benjamin Sesko (The Athletic).
Arsenal made proposals for Sesko in the summertime of 2024 and in January this yr, making a number of makes an attempt to signal the Slovenian, however Berta’s arrival prompted the north Londoners to shift focus in direction of Gyokeres as an alternative.
Up to now, regardless of barely having a sniff in opposition to powerful opposition in Man United and Liverpool, Gyokeres did internet a Premier League brace throughout Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds United, with the participant nonetheless arguably discovering his toes in Europe’s hardest, best division.
That being stated, some critics have already got doubts, like Rio Ferdinand, with the pundit telling his YouTube channel that he is but to be satisfied by Gyokeres after his efficiency at Anfield simply previous to the worldwide break.
“He made one good run within the channel and he performed somebody in, however in opposition to energy, fast, sturdy centre-halves, he doesn’t appear like he can bully them, and I must see extra,” stated Ferdinand.
“If he can’t bully them with power or tempo, what’s subsequent? Does he have the nous to get a yard within the field? I haven’t seen it but.”
Now, ex-Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy has defined his personal doubts concerning the centre-forward in an interview with The Metro.
Gael Clichy explains why Arsenal may remorse signing Viktor Gyokeres
The Frenchman says that Gyokeres lacks the link-up play to assist Arsenal, insisting that now-Liverpool star Alexander Isak was much more suited to Arteta’s system.
“Is he (Gyokeres) the kind of participant that the Arsenal followers needed to see? In all probability not,” stated Clichy.
“Are they proud of him, and can they help him? For certain, firstly, and they’ll hope for one thing wonderful.
“I don’t suppose he’s the kind of participant Arsenal are used to, I don’t suppose within the link-up aspect of the sport he’ll present what they want. I believe somebody like Isak was extra suited however he’ll add one thing Arsenal didn’t have.”
Soccer is commonly very reactionary at one of the best of instances, and maybe Gyokeres has are available for some unfair criticism since his arrival from Sporting because of the heavy expectations on his shoulders.
Arsenal are determined to finish their two-decade-long anticipate a Premier League title, with Gyokeres broadly seen as one of many doubtlessly game-changing signings to assist them just do that.
Arteta’s aspect tackle Nottingham Forest within the early kick-off on Saturday following the return from internationals, and Gyokeres can make the most of the guests settling underneath new supervisor Ange Postecoglou.
A convincing show in opposition to Forest in a must-win sport will do wonders to revive religion in Gyokeres, with Postecoglou’s model of open, high-pressing soccer doubtlessly enjoying proper into the quantity 9’s fingers.
