
Gyokeres' goals must fire Gunners to silverware or Arteta will feel the heat
The Gunners have been desperately crying out for a prolific forward to finish off their exciting attacking play as they chase their first Premier League title in more than two decades and it is imperative the Sweden international cuts it in the English top flight.
A fee has been agreed to take the marksman to the Emirates and the deal is expected to be officially announced by the end of the week, pending a medical.
Gyokeres looks a phenomenal player and was the top scorer in Europe last season with 39 goals in the Portuguese Liga, which is more than Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappe and any other hot shot you care to mention netted in their domestic divisions.
He also scored six times in the Champions League, celebrating a hat-trick in a 4-1 home win against Manchester City while also bagging goals against Lille, Sturm Graz and RB Leipzig and has yet to hit his prime as he has only just turned 27.
The flip side of the coin is that the top-flight in Portugal isn't the strongest of competitions and Gyokeres failed to deliver at Brighton before being sold to Coventry where he excelled for the Sky Blues with goals galore, albeit in the Championship.
There is also the concern that Gunners boss Arteta has misfired in previous deals for forwards who should net around 20 league goals a term with the £45m move for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and the £65m spent to bring in Kai Havertz from Chelsea failing to deliver the goods – and that's not factoring in Raheem Sterling's disastrous loan spell from the Blues.
Arteta has harped on about believing in his process since taking charge of the Emirates hotseat from Arsène Wenger in December 2019 but the FA Cup success against Chelsea the following May is the only trophy he has won unless you count the 2020 and 2023 Community Shields as major reasons to celebrate.
As well as Gyokeres, Arsenal have splashed out on wideman Noni Madueke, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard and back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer and could also add another striker if they can shift a few squad players, making them strong contenders to win their first Premier League crown in 21 years at 5/2 with Coral, Ladbrokes and Betway.
But tellingly, Bet Victor have opened a book on who will be the Gunners' next manager, with Simone Inzaghe the favourite at 4/1 and Diego Simone 10/1 as it increasingly looks like it's win or bust for Mikel.
Scottie Scheffler's first public appearance since winning his first Claret Jug by winning the Open at Royal Portrush was at the premiere of Happy Gilmore 2, starring Adam Sandler, in New York.
The original is nowhere near as good as Caddyschack in our book, but in any case Scheff will be able to reflect at leisure on the merits of the two comedies as he misses the 3M Open on the outskirts of Minnesota. More Trending
Tony Finau joined the world No.1 on the red carpet for the long-awaited film and is 30/1 to top the leaderboard on Sunday while Scottish Open winner Chris Gotterup, who stood tall when finishing a solo third near the Giant's Causeway, is 20/1 with the same firms.
World youth champion Gian van Veen landed our bet to beat Danny Noppert by more than 2.5 legs at the Winter Gardens and he can beat James Wade at 3/4 with Ladbrokes and Coral in round three while Stephen Bunting is 10/11 with William Hill and bet365 to power past Jonny Clayton after his 12-10 success against Gary Anderson.
MORE: Arsenal urged to sign free agent after £63m Viktor Gyokeres transfer
MORE: Arsenal hero makes confident goals prediction for 'machine' Viktor Gyokeres
MORE: Premier League club tipped to land treble after impressive summer transfer window
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South Wales Guardian
15 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
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North Wales Chronicle
15 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Jubilant scenes as Lionesses keep Euros dream alive with second-half equaliser
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo rose highest to divert Chloe Kelly's cross past Cata Coll in the Spanish goal in the 57th minute – sending Lionesses supporters into raptures. England fans had watched on nervously as they once again found themselves behind in a crucial Euros tie. Fans draped in England flags joined the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte in holding their heads in their hands as Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up in the final on Sunday. A nervous atmosphere transformed into a jubilant one at Boxpark Croydon as Russo's header found the net, with England flags being waved and supporters hugging each other during the celebrations. At the final whistle, fans of the Lionesses appeared confident as they started dancing and cheering as the match went into extra time. William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland for the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. Let's go, @Lionesses! 🏴 — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2025 As Caldentey's header found the net in the 25th minute, William and Charlotte were pictured with their heads in their hands and crowds in fan zones across England fell silent as they watched proceedings. Before kick-off, supporters waved England flags and loudly sang the national anthem at Boxpark Croydon and star striker Michelle Agyemang's former team, Brandon Groves Community Club in Essex. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. Ahead of the game, 11-year-old Violet Ingram, a left winger for Brandon Grove Emeralds, said: 'Seeing her (Agyemang) and the team just makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do.' Lionesses fans stood on their feet while some children said 'come on England' after Russo's header put England on level terms. The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' Let's go girls!! 💪🦁⚽️ Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening. — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 27, 2025 Meanwhile, BBC Sport and ITV have secured the broadcasting rights for the Women's World Cup 2027, meaning the tournament will remain free-to-air for UK viewers. England's path to the final has been marked by late drama. They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time. The Lionesses will be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. England boss Sarina Wiegman said the team is 'going to do everything we can to win it' and she would prefer to avoid a 'nerve-wracking' match.


Evening Standard
15 minutes ago
- Evening Standard
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