It was one of the longest and most long -term transfer negotiations of the recent seasons, but Arsenal finally got their husband after she had a deal with a maximum of £ 64 million with a sporty CP for striker, Viktor Gyokeres,
The Swedish international has long been on the radar of a number of top European clubs after a sensational scoring saying in Portugal.
One of the most dreaded punters in Europe
Signed for only £ 20.5 million from Coventry in 2023, when no English club wanted to take a chance on him, Gyokeres has since become one of the most feared markers in Europe.
In 52 games during the 2024/25 season, he led a sensational 54 goals and 11 assists – 43 more goals than one of his sporting teammates, of which only two – Trincao and Conrad Harder – are in double digits.
The elephant in the Chamber is that Gyokees never played at the highest level of a competition during his career, when we accept that the Portuguese League is one of those behind the 'Big Five' of Premier League, Bundesliga, series A, Ligue 1 and Liga.
And yet he has always scored goals where he also played. To that end, Arsenal seems to be in the place where others are feared to step less a brave gamble and more a well -thought out and considered transfer decision, given their misery for the goal occasionally.
Only one Arsenal player gained 15 goals last season
Last season again as a sample size, only Kai Havertz succeeded in achieving 15 goals for the Gunners in all competitions … And he was injured in February.
Mikel Merino, despite being a midfielder of trade, can be happy with his nine goals, the same as Ethan Nwaneri, and only one less than both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli (10).
With Gyokeres now protected, however, there should be no need for Merino to offer that additional attacking presence, except for set pieces.
That's because Mikel Arteta now has something he longs for – a goalkeeper. A striker who not only knows where the goal is, but has the physicality to play and to get his teammates, and to take away defenders from the goal and to open the spaces for people like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to take advantage.
The signing of gyokeres is also important because it should see a more direct way of playing from the North London. While incredibly pleasant aesthetic, the style of Arsenal, she often has the opportunities that would almost certainly have been meat and drinks for someone like the Swede.
Arsenal had become predictable
The Gunners were also very easy to defend, especially by the end of last season, because we dare to say it, their football had become a bit predictable.
They were certainly not boring to look at, far from far from, although they clearly did not benefit – at least in the Premier League – of the multiple opportunities that presented themselves.
Viktor Gyokeres Recent Statsflash score
34 Goals that were admitted in the English top flight should have really been the platform to build a title -winning team, but only 69 goals that are scored in the competition is ultimately where Arsenal is short of.
To bring that to the context, Liverpool 86 and even Man City scored 72 in what was a pretty terrible season for the Pep Guardiola side, with respect.
It is also not only his goals where Gyokees excels.
Route one could be one thing next season
Always on the front foot and willing to chase a lost case, his 26 fast breaks were far above every player of his new club. Martinelli's Seven was the best show for the North Londers in this respect, and what that indicates that balls over the top might be a function.
Although Route One is an anathema for all who is dear arteta, it makes little sense to buy a striker of the clear quality of Gyokees if his skills are not used.
The benefits of a more physical presence can also be shown by the amount of one-on-one duels in which the frontman was involved in 2024/25. His 443 attempt was at least 120 more than every player in the Arsenal team, although a success rate of 50.3% is lower than some of his new teammates.
It is clear that Arteta will want to see that lead at the game of Gyokees, but the striker has to make much more of those challenges if he wants to be a success at the club.
Similarly, the Go-TO for this arsenal is largely expected to be a complicated constructing game, and for that purpose the Swede must also increase its game considerably.
Gyokees clearly needs part of his game
Passing accuracy has been the weakest part of his game, and last season only 73.2% is lower than every player in the Gunners team except for keeper, David Raya (70.5%).
That lack of contribution can be overlooked if he can continue his rich form of form for goal. An XG of 38.42 dwarf the efforts of the North Londonaren, with Havertz's 11.11 the best show.
There is little doubt that when Arsenal is in the Groove, they remain one of the most diligent passing teams in European football that teams of the park can and do, but they have always been short of it lately if it mattered.
The signing of Viktor Gyokeres will be seen as the one who changes that and, as long as they play at his strengths, there is no reason why he cannot become the last piece of Arteta who put the puzzle together.