Viktor Gyökeres (L) has signed for Arsenal
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Swedish striker, Viktor Gyökeres, from Portuguese champions, Sporting CP, making him their sixth acquisition of the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old arrives at the Emirates Stadium after a remarkable 2024/25 campaign in Portugal, where he netted an astonishing 54 goals in 52 matches across all competitions.
Gyökeres dominated the Primeira Liga for the second straight season, finishing as top scorer with 39 league goals as Sporting clinched back-to-back titles.
His move to North London follows Arsenal’s earlier signings of Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, and Noni Madueke, forming a bold and ambitious recruitment drive as the Gunners look to end a two-decade wait for the Premier League crown.
In his first interview as an Arsenal player, Gyökeres reflected on his journey and excitement for the challenge ahead:
“I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I’ve improved a lot since then. Now, I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team.
“When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so 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,” he said.
Gyökeres will wear the iconic No 14 shirt, previously worn by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 175 goals and a two-time Premier League winner.
It’s a shirt heavy with expectation, and fans will hope the Swede can channel that legacy as Arsenal push to go one better than their three consecutive second-place finishes.
Mikel Arteta believes the striker has the tools to make a major impact at the Emirates:
“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,” the Arsenal manager told the club’s website.
With Gyökeres now in their ranks, Arsenal hope they’ve finally found the striker who can lead them back to Premier League glory for the first time since their legendary Invincibles campaign in 2003/04.
Watch video of his announcement below:
FKA/AE
Meanwhile, watch as football fans question FIFA’s move to scrap penalty rebound rule
