Arsenal PR machine mocked by rival fans as hidden detail emerges of record-breaking news
Viktor Gyokeres’ immediate off-field impact at Arsenal hasn’t prevented other Premier League fans from taking aim at the Gunners.
Arsenal finally confirmed the £64million arrival of Gyokeres on 26 July after a months-long transfer saga between themselves, Man United and Sporting, as they went back and forth with the Portuguese club.
Gyokeres’ 97 goals in just 102 appearances for Sporting made him one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe this summer, but Arsenal managed to secure the move for an initial fee of £55m plus add-ons.
Mikel Arteta is expected to start Gyokeres from the off in Arsenal’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford on 17 August, but the Swede’s arrival is already making waves within the Gunners’ fanbase.
Gyokeres breaks Arsenal shirt sales record within days of transfer
Gyokeres has already been welcomed into Arteta’s squad after joining Arsenal’s tour of the Far East this summer, and the 27-year-old has been awarded the number 14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry.
That decision has reaped benefits for the Gunners before Gyokeres has even stepped onto the pitch, after The Athletic reported on 29 July that their new number 14 has broken the club’s shirt sales record.
While data from various outlets and retailers is still being analysed, it is already clear that demand for Gyokeres’ No 14 shirt exceeds that of any signing in recent history.
Before Gyokeres’ arrival, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard have been among the most popular names on Arsenal shirts.
‘Arsenal PR’ slammed after Gyokeres news – ‘make a trophy’
Gyokeres’ shirt and iconic number sold so quickly that Arsenal‘s club shop website crashed, but fans from other clubs were quick to mock the Gunners for their supposed celebration of the achievement.
Numerous supporters pointed out that printing of ‘GYOKERES 14’ on Arsenal’s shirts had been offered for free on a limited-time basis for fans, and said that record sales should therefore have been expected.
The number of shirts sold was also mocked despite an impressive haul of over 6,000 in three days, and Chelsea fans in particular joked that Arsenal could “make a trophy” after the previous record was broken.
Arsenal’s desire to end a five-year spell without silverware is exactly why Gyokeres has been signed this summer, and the Swede can expect to see plenty of his shirts in the away end when the Gunners face Man United on 17 August.