Arsenal's makeshift striker Mikel Merino admits Viktor Gyokeres has 'surprised' him

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Viktor Gyokeres will be expected to deliver goals for Arsenal this season and the Sweden international has already impressed for other reasons following his arrival at the Emirates
Viktor Gyokeres has left a strong first impression on new team-mate Arsenal star Mikel Merino. The Gunners midfielder has high expectations of north London's £63.5million striker and the Swede is already delivering on the training field.
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Mikel Arteta finally landed a figure to lead his frontline having previously relied on converted midfielders in Kai Havertz and Merino. Gyokeres bagged 54 goals in 52 games last term, and has already found the net for Arsenal in pre-season.
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Success in Portugal has been no guarantee of setting the world alight in the Premier League, but Spain international Merino has been impressed with Gyokeres thus far. The striker has so far delivered exactly what Merino expected on the pitch.
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Off it however, the midfielder has been surprised. Gyokeres' professionalism and how quickly he is adapting to life at Arsenal has emerged as a surprise for Merino. "Hopefully loads of goals! That's what he does," Merino told TNT Sports when asked what he expects from his new team-mate.
"He's an amazing striker. He's strong, quick, he can threaten in the back of the line as well so that's the main thing in terms of off the pitch.
"But I'm more surprised about off-the-pitch stuff. He's a professional guy, really humble and he's already adapting and ready to learn. He's always with the eyes open so those are good qualities for a striker to have."
Merino knows that player and club will require time to adapt to each other's strengths however. Nevertheless, the Spaniard expects Gyokeres to play a big role this season.
"With every player in the squad, you have to adapt to the principles that the team have already and, at the same time, us as players have to adapt to the team-mate and the qualities and the capacities they have," Merino explained.
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"Obviously, Viktor, being such a good striker with his own tools, he's going to be a massive player for us so we'll have to adapt to his qualities, try to find him in the right spots.
"And also for him, he'll have to adapt to our values, to our principles and I'm sure it's going to be a good relationship there."
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