After a summer of competition over the Swedish International, Mikel Arteta finally got his man. The 27-year-old striker has made his move from Liga Portugal champions Sporting Lisbon, the Gunners will pay a £55 million guaranteed fee, with an additional £8.7m. The new number 14 has signed a five-year contract.

After joining Sporting CP from Coventry City in 2023 for £20.5 million, Gyokeres has scored 97 goals and 28 assists, including 67 goal involvements in the 2024/25 season. He topped the goal scorers list in both seasons at the Verde e Brancos as well as netting six goals in eight games in the champions league including a hattrick against Manchester City. 

Sporting Director Andrea Berta spoke with great enthusiasm to the Official Arsenal Website about his new signing:

“We are so pleased with the excellent deal we have completed to bring Viktor Gyokeres to the club. Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level-centre-forward. His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision”. 

Gyokores’s first Interview on Arsenal YouTube channel:

“I’m really excited to get going and to meet everyone, and just to start playing football for this amazing club”.

He went on to explain why Arsenal was the right choice:

“I just felt that it was the right club for me. What I’ve seen in the past years how they’ve been playing football and when I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against. That made me choose Arsenal and of course, the history the club has and the massive fan base”.

Gyokeres also reflected on what the move means to him and the ambitions he has to continue his international and European success:

 “I always want to score, to be a part of this club and to score with this kit and this badge in front of all the supports, I can’t wait and will be an amazing feeling”.

“It’s a big honour to play for our country, and then to score goals for them is amazing. When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so that I feel that I can be on that level as well. Now to come here to a club on Arsenal’s level, I think it’s going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I’m really excited to get going”.

With Mikel Arteta’s new marquee signing, it cements their intent to not only evolve their attacking identity but to win the Champions League and Premier League. The Gunners new number nine shows great compose in front of goal with a combination of impressive speed and strength to hold off defenders. His long list of attributes will give every team a problem, as he can adapt his game effectively.