Arsenal have finally addressed their prolonged requirement: a proper centre-forward. They have finished the purchase of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of about £55 million. This could reach £64 million with add-ons.
Arsenal’s Deal and the Player
Gyokeres, 27, joined on a five-year deal. He is set to wear the legendary No. 14 jersey at Emirates Stadium. He is the sixth senior summer signing for Arsenal. All this following arrivals of Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa, Norgaard, and Mosquera. This took their summer outlay to in excess of £200 million.
Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta praised Gyokeres’s intelligence, work rate, and goalscoring sense. He hailed him as a “complete striker”. He is an ideal fit for the manner in which Arsenal play under Mikel Arteta. Arteta himself also mentioned his consistency and movement inside the box. He thinks these attributes will serve to drive Arsenal over the title line in this campaign.
What Gyokeres Brings for Arsenal
Gyokeres is joining Arsenal following consecutive outstanding seasons in Portugal. He netted 97 goals from 102 games for Sporting, 54 from 52 appearances in the 2024–25 season. This is more than many of Europe’s big stars.
Opponents commented on how hard he was to hold back. Some conceding that they used to resort to fouling or deploying multiple markers to slow him down. Arsenal captain William Saliba talked about Gyokeres as a “scary” talent who can be the difference in helping lift the Premier League trophy.
Why This Matters
For years, Arsenal never had a reliable finisher. Past targets such as Vlahović or Šeško failed to materialize. Now, with Gyokeres available, Arteta has a proper No. 9 who can turn opportunities decisively into goals.
Gyokeres caused ripples with a telling Champions League hat-trick at Sporting—against Manchester City—and his all-around goal-scoring rate is up there with some of Europe’s top strikers. His return to England should be easier: he has played for Brighton, Swansea, and Coventry prior to his Sporting ascension.
Winners and Losers in the Gyokeres Deal
This signing is a huge success for Arteta and the club. The Gunners now possess a centre-forward who can play at the World’s highest level. He also has the potential to support players such as Bukayo Saka. He will be freed up and presented with more scoring opportunities. Gyokeres’s movement and presence is going to have a positive effect in the squad.
But this is not good news for Gabriel Jesus. He probably will have limited opportunities once fit. Arteta might still include him in squad rotation due to his versatility. But the obvious appears to be on the wall.
What Comes Next for Arsenal and Gyokeres
Gyokeres is set to join Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Asia. His debut in the Singapore match against Newcastle was effective. Arsenal is also set to face Tottenham Hotspurs in Hong Kong. With no competitive matches yet, this period is his opportunity to adjust, bond with teammates, and sync with Arteta’s system.
Mikel Arteta emphasized he wants Gyokeres to hit the ground running. After years of near-misses, this signing marks a definitive step toward the Premier League title that has eluded Arsenal for two decades.
Final Thoughts
This signing is not about figures—it’s about need being met by ambition. Arsenal have supported Arteta’s vision with unquestionable intent. Gyokeres comes not on form alone, but on function: tested, dominant, and ravenous. If he settles as anticipated, he might be the missing piece that turns Arsenal’s attack from promising to unstoppable.
Author’s Note
In Gyokeres, Arsenal sees more than just a signing; they see a solution. A player who can deliver under pressure, lead the line, and redefine their attacking threat. If everything clicks, this could be the summer that changed Arsenal’s fortunes.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
