Arsenal’s latest signing, Viktor Gyökeres, is poised to make a significant impact on the Premier League. The Swedish striker, who recently joined the Gunners from Sporting Lisbon, spoke exclusively with CNN Sports about the pressures of his big move, his goal-scoring ambitions, and the overwhelming fan response that has led to record-breaking shirt sales.
Instant Impact: Record Sales and Fan Excitement
Days after his move to Arsenal was confirmed as Mikel Arteta’s fifth summer signing, Viktor Gyökeres has already shattered a club record: the fastest shirt sales for a new signing. This immediate surge in popularity, surpassing even Arsenal stars like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice in their initial seasons, underscores the immense anticipation surrounding his arrival. “There’s a lot of people happy with me here, so I just want to give it back on the pitch,” the 27-year-old stated, acknowledging the rapid pace of his transition from London to Arsenal’s preseason tour in Asia.
Gyökeres will wear the iconic number 14 jersey, famously donned by club legend Thierry Henry. He called it “an honor to wear it” and an “easy pick,” recognizing the significant history behind the number. The €63.5 million (about $73.2 million) acquisition, with potential add-ons, signifies Arsenal’s strong intent to address a key squad weakness and finally reclaim the Premier League title, which has eluded them since 2004. Even before his debut, thousands of Hong Kong-based Arsenal supporters were seen imitating his iconic mask celebration, a testament to his immediate global engagement.
Handling Pressure and Defining His Role
Known for his power and relentlessness, Gyökeres is well aware of the external expectations. However, he emphasizes the importance of internal drive: “Of course, there’s pressure from the outside, but it comes down to how much pressure you put on yourself and try as much as possible when you’re on the pitch.” While goal-scoring is his natural inclination, he prioritizes contributing to the team’s success through his overall qualities. “I always want to score goals, but I think it’s more important to just help the team with my qualities. Try to win as much as possible in the games we play, and take it from there.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight with the signing, highlighting Gyökeres’s motivation and suitability for his system. Arteta noted that when he discussed the “external demands” with Gyökeres, the striker responded, “I’m ready for it and looking forward to it.” This willingness to embrace pressure aligns perfectly with the club’s ambitions to win.
A Winding Path to the Top
Gyökeres’s journey to elite-level football has been far from conventional. After joining Brighton and Hove Albion in 2018 from Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna, he failed to make a single league appearance and endured unimpressive loan spells with St. Pauli and Swansea City. It was a successful stint in the English second division with Coventry City that ultimately led to his move to Sporting in 2023, where he enjoyed an outstanding season, netting a staggering 68 goals in 66 league matches.
Reflecting on his “unconventional” path, Gyökeres stated, “It’s hard to describe my mentality and there are a lot of different reasons why I have it… It’s not been an easy way to get here. There were a lot of times where things haven’t really gone the way I wanted and that was tough. But you learn and grow a lot at the same time. You really have to know what to do to play at a high level, both as a player and a person.” Arteta acknowledged Gyökeres’s impressive track record at Sporting, expressing confidence in his ability to “replicate all the situations into our team and help us achieve our goals.”
