Latest news with #Gyökeres
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘One v one? He's going to destroy you: Arsenal boss Arteta praises Gyökeres' killer instinct, issues warning to defenders
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta finds his marquee summer signing Viktor Gyökeres a big threat to the opposition and believes the Swede's physicality will bring a new element to the side's attacking play this season. Arteta issued a warning to the defenders after Gyokeres scored his first goal for the club on Saturday. Gyökeres scored Arsenal's opening goal in a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz also finding the net as they lifted the Emirates Cup to cap pre-season. The Gunners will begin their Premier League campaign with a tough match-up against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford Stadium on August 17. Arteta warned the other teams that if they leave Gyokeres in a one v one situation, 'he will destroy you'. 'That's his nature, I think everything that he does, his movement, the way he times his runs, the way he predicts the next move and where the space can be and where the ball is going to land, that's the instinct that he has, that's why he's scored so many goals in the last few seasons so that's not a coincidence, it's his ability and he's constantly looking for it,' said Arteta after Arsenal's Emirates Cup win. 'Well I think his goals, his threat, I think he pins both centre backs, he's a player that when you're living with a space, one against one, he's going to destroy you. So he's going to create a lot of space as well for us and yeah, the moment that in any situation there is a player there that can score a goal,' he added. The 27-year-old Swede scored 68 Primeira Liga goals in two seasons for Sporting FC after joining from Coventry City in 2023 – the most by any player in Europe's top 10 leagues in that time. During his two seasons with Sporting, Gyökeres helped the team win back-to-back Primeira Liga titles, a national cup, and was the league's top scorer in both campaigns. He has also excelled at the international level, scoring 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for Sweden. Gyökeres started the frontline with Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli on Saturday in support, with Kai Havertz coming off the bench to score Arsenal's third goal. However, it's still unclear whether Havertz will find a place in Arsenal's playing XI. To clear the air on Havertz and Gyökeres playing together, Arteta said, 'Kai can play in different positions, as well. I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide the opposition with a lot of problems. It is great to see both of them scoring, both of them in such good form and it's a good problem to have.'
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Gyokeres 'Going To Destroy You', Warns Arsenal's Arteta Ahead Of New PL Season
Arsenal, aiming to end a five-year trophy drought, signed prolific striker Viktor Gyökeres. Manager Mikel Arteta is pleased with the aggressive approach to enhance squad depth. After watching three consecutive Premier League titles slip away to Manchester City, Arsenal have acted decisively this summer, making bold, early moves in the transfer market to ensure squad depth is no longer a weakness in their quest for silverware. At the heart of this ambition is Viktor Gyökeres, the prolific Swedish striker who scored an extraordinary 54 goals in all competitions for Sporting CP last season, instantly becoming one of the most sought-after players in Europe. Manager Mikel Arteta made no secret of his satisfaction at securing Arsenal's top target. 'I was extremely happy with the way that we have approached the window and how aggressive we've been," Arteta said. 'So far, we are very happy with what we have achieved. Make sure that at the end of the window, we continue to be super happy." Gyökeres's arrival signals a potential tactical evolution for Arsenal. Unlike Kai Havertz, who often drops deep to link play, Gyökeres thrives in the final third, using his direct running and predatory instincts to threaten the goal constantly. 'When you leave him with the space, one-on-one, he's going to destroy you," Arteta declared, underlining the Swede's lethal edge. Arsenal's recruitment has extended beyond the front line. Martín Zubimendi brings mobility, defensive solidity, and control in midfield, while Christian Nørgaard adds Premier League experience and leadership, having captained Brentford. 'You have to mix it up with some veteran players as well. I think we have a really good balance in our squad this year," midfielder Mikel Merino noted. The club has also stayed true to its academy roots, with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly breaking through last season, and 15-year-old Max Dowman now impressing in pre-season. Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals last season and pushed City close in the league again. Now, with Gyökeres leading the line, Arteta has the attacking focal point he lacked. The aim is now clear: end a five-year trophy drought and finally convert promise into Premier League glory. (with agency inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Viktor Gyökeres labours as Arsenal fall short against Villarreal and Pépé
Arsenal 2 Villarreal 3 New season, same old Arsenal? On an evening when Viktor Gyökeres was meant to announce himself as the solution to all of Mikel Arteta's problems, instead it was a figure from Arsenal's past who stole the show. At £72m – £8m more than they may end up paying for the Sweden striker – Nicolas Pépé was an expensive Arsenal signing, a few months before Arteta replaced Unai Emery in 2019. Most of the fans who packed out the Emirates Stadium for this pre-season friendly will not have many fond memories of the Ivory Coast international's spell in north London, but he clearly had a point to prove here. Pépé's early goal and strikes from Karl Etta Eyong and the former Tottenham loanee Arnaut Danjuma sealed an impressive win for Villarreal, and left Arteta with plenty of questions to resolve before Arsenal's opening game of the season next weekend against Manchester United. Gyökeres, who is the headline act of a spending spree that could exceed £200m, looked short of match fitness as he toiled up front for 62 minutes. Only the introduction of the 15‑year‑old Max Dowman for his first senior appearance at the Emirates Stadium could lift the mood as he won a penalty that allowed Martin Ødegaard to make the scoreline more respectable. But there were more reasons to be fearful for Arsenal's fans as they aim to improve on finishing as Premier League runners-up for a third successive season. There had been a sense of anticipation in the late summer air as they queued patiently at the club shop before kick‑off, with several already sporting Gyökeres's new replica No 14 shirt. Having made his debut last week as a substitute against Spurs in their 1-0 defeat in Hong Kong, the Sweden striker is still playing catch‑up having stayed away from pre-season with Sporting as he attempted to force through his move. But he was included in a strong starting lineup, with Ethan Nwaneri deputising for Ødegaard alongside the new signing Christian Nørgaard and Mikel Merino in midfield. The match programme featured pictures of all six of Arsenal's summer arrivals on the cover, with Martín Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga on the bench Arteta used his programme notes to express his belief they 'will add quality and depth to the squad, which is what we are going to need throughout the season'. Areteta added: 'We know what our targets are and what we want to achieve this season – there is a big belief in our ability to achieve that. We have been very, very close the last few seasons and the whole team is going to determine whether we achieve that or not.' It was Nwaneri, who has signed a new contract this summer, who caught the eye early on. A cross from Merino that was meant for the forehead of Gyökeres instead found Bukayo Saka at the back post and he could not direct the ball on target. But with only Gabriel Magalhães missing from his first-choice back four, Arteta will be concerned with how easily Villarreal established a 2-0 lead. Pépé, who joined Villarreal last year on a free transfer and is set to be joined by the former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey after he agreed an initial one-year deal, was unlucky when his shot came back off the post before he eventually forced the ball past David Raya when Arsenal failed to clear. The Spaniard was left fuming with his defence when Etta Eyong doubled the Spanish side's lead just after the half-hour, although Nørgaard immediately pulled one back from a corner. Like last season when they struggled from a lack of creativity, that seemed to be Arsenal's best chance of scoring as Gyökeres was forced to live off scraps before the break. Mosquera and Zubimendi were summoned for the second half and there was an immediate improvement. Gyökeres finally had a sight of goal when played in by Merino but his shot was well saved by Luiz Júnior. It needed Dowman, who has been hailed as a 'special talent' by Arteta despite his tender years, to save some face after Danjuma had raced clear to make it 3-1, although Madueke missed the decisive penalty in a post‑match shootout. 'Max is moving so fast – even last year when he was training with us, he was doing these kind of things and now he is doing them in the games,' said Arteta. 'The efficiency he shows in every attacking action is incredible and he deserves more chances.' On Gyökeres, Arteta added: 'Every day in training he is getting a really good feeling and connection with all the other players who are going to help him. He hasn't trained for a team for two months and, on Saturday, he will take another step and be in a very good position.' Guardian
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Paul Scholes raises Viktor Gyokeres suspicion as he points out problem for Mikel Arteta
Arsenal finally secured the services of a striker this summer by signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, but Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has his doubts about the move Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has questioned whether Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta even wanted new striker signing Viktor Gyökeres. Scholes also fears that the Swede may not adapt well to the Gunners' high levels of possession. After struggling without a bona fide No. 9 for some time, Arsenal finally completed a deal for Sporting CP star Gyökeres last month, snapping him up after a summer of speculation for roughly £64million. The Gunners fought off competition from Premier League rivals United for the 27-year-old, but Red Devils legend Scholes has now questioned whether head coach Arteta wanted the player, and whether Gyökeres will prosper in light of Arsenal's high-possession playstyle. "[Arsenal needed a] Centre forward, I just wonder if you've chosen the right one," Scholes declared on The Overlap Fan Debate. "Because there was a lot of um-ing and ah-ing about it, I wondered if Mikel Arteta really wanted him, as the main one he wants? I'm not too sure, and he's got him now. "He's had a really strange career path - Brighton, Coventry, and then he's gone to Sporting Lisbon and his goal record is absolutely brilliant – you can't take it away from him." Gyökeres netted a staggering 97 times in 102 matches for Sporting in all competitions over the past two seasons, but Scholes doubts whether the Gunners' style of play suits him. "If there's any team that he could go to and create chances, then it should be Arsenal and it should be a really good match," continued Scholes. "The only thing I'd say against Gyökeres really is that with Sporting Lisbon, he's probably playing on the counter-attack a lot, in Europe especially. "You think of Arsenal, they have the ball an awful lot, is he going to be clever enough to make these runs in behind? A lot of him that you see, he's sprinting from the halfway line almost. "You can't keep up with him, he's ramming people, he's quick and he's smashing the ball in. Is he going to be that clever striker – we know Isak can do that. Can Gyökeres do that?" One player who thinks that Gyökeres will fare well at the Emirates is club captain Martin Odegaard, who sang his new team-mate's praises during Arsenal's pre-season visit to Hong Kong. "I think you've all seen what he's done in his career so far," claimed Odegaard. "Especially the last season at Sporting, the numbers speak for themselves. He's a very complete player. He's physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well. "I think he's a very complete striker and you can also see the hunger, the energy he brings. I'm really excited to have him with the team. He's only trained a few times, but you can already see the quality, the energy, and the willingness. I'm excited to have a pitch with him."
News18
30-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
A Trial By Fire On Debut! Viktor Gyokeres To Debut For Arsenal In North London Derby
Viktor Gyokeres could debut for Arsenal in a north London derby against Tottenham in Hong Kong. The $67 million striker joined from Sporting Lisbon and may play if fit. Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres could make his debut in one of football's fiercest rivalries — the north London derby — when the Gunners face Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on Thursday, manager Mikel Arteta revealed on Wednesday. The highly anticipated friendly will take place at Kai Tak Stadium in front of an expected crowd of 50,000, marking the first meeting between the two clubs outside the United Kingdom. The $67 million Swedish forward joined Arsenal only three days ago after completing a high-profile move from Sporting Lisbon. Despite the short turnaround, Arteta suggested Gyökeres may get some minutes on the pitch, depending on a final assessment by the club's medical staff. 'He's only done today's session and very little yesterday," Arteta told reporters after an open training session. 'We're going to assess tonight how he is. If the medical staff are happy with his condition to participate tomorrow night, it's a possibility. With the rest of the squad, everybody is OK." Gyökeres is still building his match fitness, having missed Arsenal's pre-season friendlies last week in Singapore against AC Milan and Newcastle. Meanwhile, his new teammates have already begun to sharpen up ahead of the upcoming season. The 27-year-old striker arrives in north London after a sensational season with Sporting Lisbon, where he scored 39 goals across competitions and helped the club to a Portuguese league title. He made international headlines with a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City and leaves the Portuguese side with an extraordinary record: 97 goals in 102 appearances. Gyökeres has signed a five-year deal with Arsenal. The transfer could rise to $89 million with performance-related bonuses, pushing the club's total summer spending to around $267 million. He has chosen to wear the iconic number 14 shirt, famously worn by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Alongside Gyökeres, Arsenal have bolstered their squad with several key additions: defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and forward Noni Madueke. He now aims to end the club's two-decade wait for a league title — a feat last achieved under Arsène Wenger in the 2003/04 season. (with AFP inputs) view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
