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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Bullish Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres responds to Thierry Henry comparisons and hits out at critics of record in Portugal
LAST season, Viktor Gyokeres outscored Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah. And yet because the Swedish international banged in 39 goals in 33 games in the Portuguese Primeira Liga – not considered one of Europe's top five leagues – it apparently does not count. Advertisement 5 Viktor Gyokeres is set for a new challenge in the Premier League with Arsenal Credit: Getty 5 The striker is determined to prove his doubters wrong Credit: Getty Since being linked to and then Some will point to how But for every Silva, there is Benfica's Ahead of potentially making his Gunners debut against Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL 'It depends on who you pick. It's difficult to compare one player to another. And how they're performing in a different league, because there are a lot of different factors. 'Not only a better league. If you play in a better team also, it makes it easier. Especially if you're an attacking player. So we'll have to see. 'It's not really up to me how people think or expect.' Advertisement Most read in Football Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates 5 Gyokeres is expected to make his debut against Tottenham Credit: Getty Norwegian Odegaard has specifically gone out of his way to bond with a fellow Scandinavian, and said: 'You've all seen what he's done in his career so far and especially the last season at Sporting, the numbers speak for themselves. 'He's a very complete player, a very complete striker. He's physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well. Advertisement Arsenal CONFIRM £63.5million Viktor Gyokeres transfer as striker takes iconic No14 made famous by Thierry Henry 'You can already see the hunger, the energy he brings. The quality, the willingness. I am so excited to share a pitch with him.' Gyokeres was a wanted man this summer. Man United were sniffing around with his old Sporting boss But having not been given the chance in the Prem with Gyokeres explained: 'You can always have a decision about your future. Of course, there were other clubs as well, but I didn't feel it was a difficult choice for me this time. Advertisement 'I don't think [a Prem comeback] was always on my mind. But of course, that was an option because it's the best league in the world, so that was always a goal. 'When I felt it was the right time, I didn't hesitate to come back.' Gyokeres is under pressure to score the goals that will win the North Londoners their first Prem title in 22 years, especially after 5 Gyokeres has chosen to wear the iconic No14 shirt Credit: Getty Advertisement The No10 jersey was also available, but SunSport understands that it has been earmarked for someone else. However the Swede refuses to be drawn on comparisons with Arsenal's all-time top scorer and 2004 Invincibles hero Thierry Henry. He said: "It's not really my intention to be compared with what he's achieved in his career. Especially here. 'I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course [Henry] was an amazing player, but different from me. I just want to try to do my own thing. Advertisement 'Of course, I know about the history. But to be honest, there weren't so many numbers available. There weren't too many to pick from. But of course that one was available. 'So when I knew that, it was an easy choice to take it.' Arteta said: 'I use the word conviction and that's the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to [Gyokeres]. 'Someone very determined, someone that was already really attached, the way he was talking about the club, the history and in this case Thierry and what the shirt represented. Advertisement 'He straight away felt it, and when you feel it, go for it.' The Gyokeres we are used to seeing on the pitch is brash, bold and confident. A swagger that comes with the territory of being one of Europe's most prolific scorers. But sat in Arsenal's hotel with the Hong Kong skyline as a backdrop, Gyokeres is quiet, reflective, even shy, as he painted a picture of how tough the past few weeks have been. Advertisement He explained: 'I haven't really been in that situation before. It's been a lot of waiting from my side. I tried to train as much as possible by myself and keep the day going. 'A lot of days were the same kind of routine. I woke up, trained, had dinner and then went to bed again. It was like that for a few weeks, but it was worth it for sure.' Thoughts are already turning to Arsenal's Prem opener against United at Old Trafford on August 17, where many hope it will be the start of an historic campaign for Arteta's Arsenal, spearheaded by a hungry Gyokeres ready to silence the haters. Asked if he would be ready to hit the ground running after a disrupted pre-season, Gyokeres simply said: 'Yeah.' Advertisement He continued: 'You need a whole team that are together and play together, then you have a very good chance to have a great season. '[Arteta] has just told me to use my qualities as much as I can. I haven't been here too long. I've only done a few training sessions, but so far I have been feeling great. 'I just need to keep going the way I've been doing the last couple of years, to improve as well on the pitch. Try to help the team as much as I can.' The striker has already broken a record at Arsenal without even playing a single match. Advertisement The demand for Gyokeres' No 14 shirts has exceeded that of any signing in recent history. Arsenal have experienced a record number of shirt sales since he joined. 5 The striker's arrival led to a record number of shirts being sold Credit: Getty Advertisement
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Bullish Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres responds to Thierry Henry comparisons and hits out at critics of record in Portugal
Gyokeres has already broken a record at Arsenal without even kicking a ball CHASING VIK-TORY Bullish Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres responds to Thierry Henry comparisons and hits out at critics of record in Portugal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LAST season, Viktor Gyokeres outscored Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah. And yet because the Swedish international banged in 39 goals in 33 games in the Portuguese Primeira Liga – not considered one of Europe's top five leagues – it apparently does not count. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Viktor Gyokeres is set for a new challenge in the Premier League with Arsenal Credit: Getty 5 The striker is determined to prove his doubters wrong Credit: Getty Since being linked to and then completing his £63.5m switch from Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal this summer, the question has remained the same: Portugal is one thing, but can he do it in the Premier League? Some will point to how Darwin Nunez – with 25 goals in 95 Prem outings so far for Liverpool – has struggled to make the leap from wowing at Benfica, as well as other examples like Porto's Fabio Silva joining Wolves [four goals in 62 Prem games] and Sporting's Islam Slimani joining Leicester [eight goals in 36 Prem games]. But for every Silva, there is Benfica's Raul Jimenez, with 59 goals in 197 Prem games for Wolves and Fulham. For every Slimani, there is Sporting's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 103 goals in 236 Prem appearances for Manchester United. Ahead of potentially making his Gunners debut against Tottenham in Hong Kong tomorrow, Gyokeres weighed in: 'I'll have to adapt. But there are a lot of players from Portugal who have done even better in England. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Joao Much? Chelsea flop Joao Felix is fourth most expensive player ever as top 10 revealed 'It depends on who you pick. It's difficult to compare one player to another. And how they're performing in a different league, because there are a lot of different factors. 'Not only a better league. If you play in a better team also, it makes it easier. Especially if you're an attacking player. So we'll have to see. 'It's not really up to me how people think or expect.' Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard does not share the view that Gyokeres could struggle, having already been left impressed by his new teammate's first two training sessions out in Asia. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates 5 Gyokeres is expected to make his debut against Tottenham Credit: Getty Norwegian Odegaard has specifically gone out of his way to bond with a fellow Scandinavian, and said: 'You've all seen what he's done in his career so far and especially the last season at Sporting, the numbers speak for themselves. 'He's a very complete player, a very complete striker. He's physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well. Arsenal CONFIRM £63.5million Viktor Gyokeres transfer as striker takes iconic No14 made famous by Thierry Henry 'You can already see the hunger, the energy he brings. The quality, the willingness. I am so excited to share a pitch with him.' Gyokeres was a wanted man this summer. Man United were sniffing around with his old Sporting boss Ruben Amorim hoping for a reunion. But having not been given the chance in the Prem with Brighton between 2017 and 2021 – failing to make a single league appearance – the 27-year-old only wanted to return with the chance of competing for the highest honours, and that was under Mikel Arteta. Gyokeres explained: 'You can always have a decision about your future. Of course, there were other clubs as well, but I didn't feel it was a difficult choice for me this time. 'I don't think [a Prem comeback] was always on my mind. But of course, that was an option because it's the best league in the world, so that was always a goal. 'When I felt it was the right time, I didn't hesitate to come back.' Gyokeres is under pressure to score the goals that will win the North Londoners their first Prem title in 22 years, especially after choosing to wear the iconic No14 jersey. 5 Gyokeres has chosen to wear the iconic No14 shirt Credit: Getty The No10 jersey was also available, but SunSport understands that it has been earmarked for someone else. However the Swede refuses to be drawn on comparisons with Arsenal's all-time top scorer and 2004 Invincibles hero Thierry Henry. He said: "It's not really my intention to be compared with what he's achieved in his career. Especially here. 'I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course [Henry] was an amazing player, but different from me. I just want to try to do my own thing. 'Of course, I know about the history. But to be honest, there weren't so many numbers available. There weren't too many to pick from. But of course that one was available. 'So when I knew that, it was an easy choice to take it.' Arteta said: 'I use the word conviction and that's the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to [Gyokeres]. 'Someone very determined, someone that was already really attached, the way he was talking about the club, the history and in this case Thierry and what the shirt represented. 'He straight away felt it, and when you feel it, go for it.' Gyokeres' Sporting exit turned messy, refusing to train to push through a deal that saw club president Frederico Varandas dig his heels in until the very last minute, with accusations of broken promises and backstabbing. The Gyokeres we are used to seeing on the pitch is brash, bold and confident. A swagger that comes with the territory of being one of Europe's most prolific scorers. But sat in Arsenal's hotel with the Hong Kong skyline as a backdrop, Gyokeres is quiet, reflective, even shy, as he painted a picture of how tough the past few weeks have been. He explained: 'I haven't really been in that situation before. It's been a lot of waiting from my side. I tried to train as much as possible by myself and keep the day going. 'A lot of days were the same kind of routine. I woke up, trained, had dinner and then went to bed again. It was like that for a few weeks, but it was worth it for sure.' Thoughts are already turning to Arsenal's Prem opener against United at Old Trafford on August 17, where many hope it will be the start of an historic campaign for Arteta's Arsenal, spearheaded by a hungry Gyokeres ready to silence the haters. Asked if he would be ready to hit the ground running after a disrupted pre-season, Gyokeres simply said: 'Yeah.' He continued: 'You need a whole team that are together and play together, then you have a very good chance to have a great season. '[Arteta] has just told me to use my qualities as much as I can. I haven't been here too long. I've only done a few training sessions, but so far I have been feeling great. 'I just need to keep going the way I've been doing the last couple of years, to improve as well on the pitch. Try to help the team as much as I can.' The striker has already broken a record at Arsenal without even playing a single match. The demand for Gyokeres' No 14 shirts has exceeded that of any signing in recent history. Arsenal have experienced a record number of shirt sales since he joined. 5 The striker's arrival led to a record number of shirts being sold Credit: Getty ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest rumours from the Emirates
Euractiv
2 hours ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Portugal to start work on first high-speed rail line
Work can begin on a new high-speed train line between Lisbon and Porto after the European Investment Bank (EIB) wrote out a first cheque for €875 million in financing on Tuesday. The first section of the Atlantic country's first-ever high-speed railway will run south from Porto to the city of Oiã, about a quarter of the way to the capital, Lisbon. EIB Group President Nadia Calviño cheered the new train line, describing it as a 'real game changer'. The bank has committed a total of €3 billion to finance the whole project. 'It is the first high-speed train that will be built in the country, and it is going to significantly improve the lives of people, who will see their travelling time reduced from nearly three hours to slightly over one hour,' Calviño said. The project is in line with EU ambitions to connect the continent's key cities with trains travelling at no less than 160 km/h by 2040, and the EIB's announcement was hailed as a major step forward. Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikōstas said that the Portuguese project is a 'cornerstone' for completing the Trans-European Transport Network plans, and that it 'reflects the kind of investment we aim to scale across Europe'. He said that the EU executive will present 'a new plan to accelerate high-speed rail development' in the bloc 'later this year'. This can be considered the new network's first delay: the EU 'high-speed rail network master plan' had been provisionally scheduled for publication in July, but disappeared from the European Commission's agenda just weeks ahead of deadline. Back in December, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked Tzitzikōstas to prepare a 'plan for an ambitious European high-speed rail network to help connect EU capitals, including through night trains, and to accelerate rail freight'. A pan-European high-speed rail network connecting all EU capitals and major cities would be an 'unparalleled opportunity to revolutionise European travel and catalyse EU integration', the former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta said last year in a report commissioned by the European Council. (rh, aw)
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Gyokeres could make Arsenal debut against Tottenham in Hong Kong
Viktor Gyokeres could make his Arsenal debut in the cauldron of a north London derby this week in front of 50,000 Hong Kong fans, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday. The $67 million Swedish striker came through an open training session at Kai Tak stadium, where Arsenal will take on Tottenham on Thursday in the bitter rivals' first clash outside of the UK. Gyokeres joined up with Arsenal on its Asia tour only three days ago, after signing from Sporting Lisbon, but will get some time on the pitch if the club medical team think he is ready, said Arteta. He is playing fitness catch-up with his new teammates, though, who came through pre-season friendlies in Singapore last week against AC Milan and Newcastle. 'Yes, I understand he's only done today's session and yesterday, very little,' Arteta told reporters. 'We're going to assess tonight how he is, if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate tomorrow night, it's a possibility. 'With the rest of the squad, everybody is OK.' The 27-year-old Gyokeres fired Sporting to the Portuguese championship last season with 39 goals and made global headlines when he netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City. The striker, who has chosen to wear the number 14 shirt made famous by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side. Also read | From Mumbai to Romania — How Harshika moved from Gokulam Kerala to ACS Atletic Olimpia Gherla in Europe He has joined Arsenal on a five-year deal which could cost the north London club up to $89 million with performance-related add-ons. His arrival took Arsenal's close-season spending to around $267 million. It has also signed defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielder Martin Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Christian Norgaard and forward Noni Madueke. Arteta was clearly pleased at the business the club has carried out in the transfer window so far, as he seeks to be the first Arsenal manager to win the Premier League since Arsene Wenger in the 2003/04 season. 'I am extremely happy with the way that we have approached the window and how aggressive we've been,' said Arteta, who has finished runner-up in the Premier League for the past three seasons. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said he was excited to play with his fellow Scandinavian, Gyokeres, calling him 'a very complete' player. 'I think you've all seen what he's done in his career so far, especially the last season at Sporting, and the numbers speak for themselves,' Norwegian international Odegaard said. 'You know, he's physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well. 'So I think he's a very complete striker,' said Odegaard. 'Really excited to have him with the team. And he's only trained a few times, but you can already see the quality and the energy and the willingness.'
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Luis Diaz completes £65million move to Bayern Munich from Liverpool
Diaz was given permission to leave the Premier League champions and on Monday he departed Tokyo, where the team are preparing for Wednesday's match against Yokohama F Marinos, for Germany. The player had been pushing for a move since last summer and, after two failed attempts to agree an extension to the two years he had remaining on his contract, Liverpool reluctantly accepted his departure was inevitable. Luis Diaz has completed a permanent transfer to Bayern Munich after three-and-a-half years with the Reds. Everybody at Liverpool FC thanks Luis for all of his contributions during his time at the club and wishes him the best for the future. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 30, 2025 'I'm very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern – it's one of the biggest clubs in the world,' Diaz told Bayern's website. 'I want to help my new team with my way of playing football and my personality. My goal is to win every possible title, and that's what we'll work for every day as a team.' The move brings to an end a three-and-a-half-year stay on Merseyside during which Diaz scored 41 goals in 148 matches, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups. He previously played for Porto, from whom Liverpool signed him in 2022 for £37.5m plus add-ons, scoring 41 times in 125 appearances for the Portuguese side. In a farewell post to Liverpool fans on Instagram, Diaz reflected that it would have been the 'perfect goodbye' had it not been for the tragic death of team-mate Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain earlier this month. He wrote: 'Three years and a half that I'll treasure forever. I arrived with all the dreams in the world, and I am leaving proud of everything we achieved together. 'I have met incredible people, fabulous colleagues, coaches who helped me a lot, and extraordinary fans. Liverpool is, indeed, a special team, and I will keep everyone in my heart. The cycle ends here, and it is so gratifying to look back and realise how happy we were. 'Not only because of the trophies we won, but for the union and friendship that made it all possible. There were ups and downs, as there always are, but there was always truth. As it should be in a family. 'It's good to be leaving with the feeling of a duty fulfilled, and, most of all, to be leaving a champion. It would have been the perfect goodbye if we hadn't lost one of ours in such a tragic way. 'As I said, and I repeat, I carry everyone with me in my heart, but one of them in particular: Diogo (Jota). I will never forget him. We will never forget him. Thank you for everything. YNWA.' Diogo Jota celebrates scoring a Liverpool goal in October 2023 by holding up a Diaz shirt (Peter Byrne/PA) Jota showed his support for Diaz when the Colombian's father was kidnapped in October 2023, holding up a shirt bearing his team-mate's name after scoring in a win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Diaz's father was kidnapped in his hometown of Barrancas by rebels and held hostage for 12 days, before being released unharmed. During the ordeal, the winger came off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser for Liverpool in a 1-1 draw away against Luton. Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund said of his team's new signing: 'Luis creates a real goal threat and is a scorer, and at the same time he works incredibly hard for his team. He is a fast, versatile footballer and brings an intense style of play to the pitch. 'He has also gained a lot of experience at the top level with Liverpool and the Colombia national team. Luis Diaz represents a complete package that will thrill our fans.' Hugo Ekitike's arrival at Liverpool last week means the Reds have already bolstered their attacking options and they maintain an interest in Newcastle's wantaway striker Alexander Isak. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said: 'This is also who we are as a club. We are making big signings but this club also needs to recoup funds to get these transfers that we already did over the line. 'It has been a summer where we've spent a lot but I think if people look at all the money we've already brought in, that's also – like last year when we almost only sold players – a good thing for this club as well.'
