The Lethal goal machine ready to gun for the Gunners: pic credit Arsenal Media/EPL
By Dickson Bandera
Sweden international and Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyökeres has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, as the Gunners continue their quest for a deadly striker who can score goals for fun.
The 27-year-old striker arrives in North London with an impressive record of 97 goals in 102 appearances and will wear the iconic number 14 shirt — a jersey forever associated with Arsenal’s greatest goal scorers.
The lack of a truly lethal striker has seen Arsenal play some of the best football in the Premier League in recent seasons but fall agonisingly short of lifting the league title, missing out by narrow margins. With Gyökeres, the club hopes to finally find that clinical edge up front.
Gyökeres’s numbers put him in elite company — last season he was firmly in the race for the European Golden Boot alongside world-class forwards such as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and PSG’s Kylian Mbappé, underlining his status as one of Europe’s most prolific goal scorers.
The number 14 shirt holds special significance at Arsenal. Club legend Thierry Henry immortalised it with a record 228 goals for the club, becoming the Gunners’ all-time leading scorer. In recent years, the shirt has also been worn by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who fired Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 2020, and Eddie Nketiah, who scored 15 goals in two seasons wearing the famous number before being sold to Crystal Palace.
During his two seasons with Sporting, Viktor helped the club secure back-to-back Primeira Liga titles and a national cup, finishing as the league’s top scorer in both campaigns. He has also been prolific for Sweden, netting 12 goals in his last 17 international appearances.
Born in Stockholm, Gyökeres began his career with IF Brommapojkarna, progressing through their youth academy where he scored 32 goals in 31 matches at under-19 and under-21 levels, making his senior debut at just 17.
In January 2018, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion, gaining valuable experience during loan spells at Swansea City, St. Pauli, and Coventry City. He later moved permanently to Coventry in 2021, playing a key role in their run to the Championship Play-Off final in 2023.
Sporting Director Andrea Berta said: *“We are so pleased with the excellent deal we have completed to bring Viktor Gyökeres 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.
“We are confident Viktor will have a major impact on the pitch and become an important figure in our dressing room. Welcome, Viktor!”*
Manager Mikel Arteta added: *“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyökeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.
“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.
“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him. We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal.”*
Gyökeres will link up with the squad immediately for their men’s pre-season tour in Asia.
The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
* Source: www.arsenal.com
