The weight of History is on Gyokeres as he embraces Arsenal’s iconic no. 14 shirt. In a display of confidence and ambition, Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres is about to take on Arsenal’s most famous jersey number – the No. 14 shirt worn by club legend Thierry Henry. His £63.7 million transfer from Sporting CP finalized, the significance of his choice of shirt number says a lot about his identity and the expectations in North London.
The Legacy of the Number
The No. 14 shirt for Arsenal goes beyond a number on a kit. It weaves into the fabric of Arsenal folklore. Thierry Henry cemented its legacy with both spells in the famous red and white of the Gunners (1999-2007) and (2012-2012). He scored a club-record 228 career goals for Arsenal, winning the club two Premier League titles and three FA cups. Moreover, he changed the way that a modern striker plays the game. What is more remarkable is that his number association with 14 was a happy accident. As the former striker’s No. 12 shirt was already with Christopher Wreh when he arrived at the club. The rest is history.
Henry’s departure
The shirt carried immense weight for the wearers of No. 14. Obviously Henry’s example is often (incorrectly) invoked. Walcott (2008-2018) scored 108 goals of which he admitted he felt pressure initially. “Then I suddenly I thought, “S—, I’ve taken Thierry’s number”. Aubameyang (2018-2021) started with a bang where he scored 92 goals. He led Arsenal to an FA Cup title a year earlier as captain. He suffered a premature departure when his relationship broke down with Mikel Arteta. Moreover, he perhaps still remained as a villain. Nketiah (2021-2024) was the Hale End product that scored 38 goals. But never became an established starter in league context or otherwise. Moreover, he too departed for Crystal Palace last summer with a clash with his manager.
Table: Arsenal’s No. 14 in the Premier League Era (Post-Henry)
Player | Years | Appearances | Goals | Trophies Won
Theo Walcott | 2008-2018 | 397 | 108 | 2x FA Cup
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 2018-2021 | 163 | 92 | 1x FA Cup, 1x Community Shield
Eddie Nketiah | 2021-2024 | 168 | 38 | Community Shield
Viktor Gyokeres | 2025-? | – | – | –
Why No. 14 for Gyokeres?
Gyokeres comes in as the spectacle striker signing for Arsenal having an incredible 54-goal season with Sporting. The No. 9 he prefers is in the flesh of Gabriel Jesus and his No. 17 from Coventry belongs to Oleksandr Zinchenko. The available No. 10 that was vacated by Emile Smith Rowe was not taken, Gyokeres has allegedly sidestepped that potential legacy to tackle the challenge of the No. 14 head on. This is a bravado decision which shows how confident he must be, and that he has the stomach to take on the almost historical trauma and fan expectations of Henry’s legacy.
The Significance and the Pressure
Taking the No. 14 isn’t just about wearing a famous number; it’s an immediate declaration of intent. Gyokeres embraces being billed as the final piece in Arsenal’s quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 – the era of Henry himself. While no one expects him to replicate Henry’s feats overnight, the number demands a prolific goalscorer who leads the line with distinction. Gyokeres’ physical presence, relentless running, and proven finishing ability (97 goals in 102 games for Sporting) suggest he has the tools. However, the Premier League presents a sterner test, and the psychological weight of the shirt on previous wearers like Walcott is well-documented.
A New Chapter Begins
With medicals scheduled for July 26th and a five-year deal agreed to, Gyokeres will likely be in the Mikel Arteta squad by the time the players return from Asia for their pre-season tour. Gyokeres assumes the storied No. 14, stepping into an important legacy which is broad and subdivided by excellence. Keeping this in mind, Viktor Gyokeres embraces the path to contribute to his legacy in that rich and intricate history.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
