Viktor Gyokeres insider reveals key ‘weapon’ that will make striker a huge Arsenal hit
The potential signing of Viktor Gyokeres could be a huge step forward for Arsenal, but according to one insider, it’s more than just goals he will bring to Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal have finished second in each of the last three Premier League seasons, with their lack of an elite No.9 leaving them at a clear disadvantage to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
However, the club seem to be pushing hard to rectify that this summer and after also being linked with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike, it appears that Gyokeres has emerged as the top target.
Football Insider learned earlier this week that the Gunners are confident they now have a full agreement in place to sign the 27-year-old from Sporting CP.
Viktor Gyokeres backed to add more than just goals for Arsenal
Gyokeres has been a goalscoring sensation since arriving at Sporting from Coventry in 2023, netting 97 times in 102 appearances across all competitions — helping the Lions to two Primeira Liga titles and a Taca de Portugal.
However, far more than just goals, Gyokeres will also bring a new dimension to Arsenal’s press should he arrive at the Emirates.
That’s the view of Portuguese football journalist David Novo.
“We all know the Premier League is another level. It’s top level. It’s way better than the Portuguese championship,” Novo told Sky Sports [July 8].
“I don’t know if Gyokeres is going to score that amount of goals, but I think he’s really up to the challenge.
“He’s going to be a huge signing for Arsenal and I think he’s going to score a lot of goals in the Premier League.
| 2024/25 Primeira Liga per 90 stats | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Goals | 1.25 |
| Shots on target | 2.57 |
| Assists | 0.22 |
| Chances created | 1.99 |
| Successful dribbles | 1.93 |
| Touches in opposition box | 10.5 |
| Blocks | 0.90 |
| Possession won in final 3rd | 1.00 |
“He never missed one penalty here in Portugal, so it’s one of his weapons, so to speak.
“We all know he’s a really strong and physical striker and with the way Sporting play, they have several penalties. And because Gyokeres suffers a lot of falls in a penalty box, usually that’s him taking the responsibility to score those penalties.
“People speak about his goals and that’s the most important thing for a striker. But he’s the type of striker who likes to press the defenders to make the offensive fouls when necessary.
“If a manager wants to have a striker who is the first one to defend, Gyokeres can do it. I don’t know if it’s what Mikel Arteta wants, but he can do it.”
Viktor Gyokeres is a perfect tactical fit for Mikel Arteta
Football Insider verdict
If Arsenal are to invest significant sums into a striker, he simply must fit their demanding style of play.
Indeed, the Gunners were first in the Premier League for tackles in the final third last season (129, Fbref) and fifth for possessions won in the final third per match (4.9, FotMob).
For a team enjoying the fourth-highest share of possession (57%), those are phenomenally high numbers and a clear indicator of how quickly Arteta wants his side to win the ball back.
Gyokeres averaged 1.0 possessions won in the final third per 90 last season, placing him among the top 20 in the Primeira Liga — again, for a side that dominates the ball.
Novo might well have a point, with Gyokeres adding far more to Arteta’s side than the goals he’s primarily being signed to provide.