BREAKING: Viktor Gyokeres’ first request as an Arsenal player has been rejected as the Gunners gave him a strange squad number instead of his preferred one- He’s very angry at the situation and the transfer could be affected
The prayers of the Emirates Stadium faithful have been answered: Mikel Arteta and his entourage have finally got their hands on an established No.9 in Viktor Gyokeres, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Swedish sharpshooter’s dream number, however, is reportedly off the cards in north London.
The Gunners – who have finished just behind the champions three seasons on the bounce – may have put an end to their ever-growing centre-forward issues with the signing of the talismanic 27-year-old, whose switch is set to be finalised soon.
In isolation, Gyokeres plundered 54 goals and 13 assists in 52 outings across all competitions last term – and Arteta’s men should benefit from such prowess in front of goal. He’ll be doing so in his second-choice number though, reports have stated.
When Arsenal finally made a breakthrough in signing the Stockholm-born hitman, there was a collective sigh of relief among fans. Manchester United, too, were interested in his signature, but the message was clear: Arsenal were his preference, and he’s set to become their fifth arrival of the window.
Ever since joining Sporting CP – then managed by Ruben Amorim – from Coventry in 2023, he’s worn the No.9 across his back. As things stand, despite the fact that his future at the club is hanging heavily in the balance, that number belongs to Gabriel Jesus.
While plying his trade in England for Coventry, Gyokeres wore No.17 – but that is a number currently occupied by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who, like Jesus, faces uncertainty over his position.
That could leave the door open for the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion hotshot to swoop in and adopt a very famous – the No.10. Vacated after Emile Smith Rowe’s departure to Fulham last summer, he could follow in the footsteps of Dennis Bergkamp.
It’s a number with plenty of folklore attached to it. Paul Merson, Robin van Persie and Mesut Ozil are all among the names to have donned No.10 for Arsenal over the years – but will Gyokeres take on that mantle and perform in a similar manner?
Arteta has taken a risk by, once again, breaking his golden transfer rule as they typically avoid signing players who are over the age of 25 – but his goalscoring record speaks for itself. In Portugal, he’s scored 97 goals, and notched 28 assists, in 102 matches.
Gyokeres played just eight times for Brighton’s senior team between 2018 and 2021, and he’ll be looking to right his wrongs once he is officially unveiled in the north of the capital. Whether he can be the final piece to Arteta’s puzzle remains to be seen.
