Mikel Arteta Reveals the Simple Words From Viktor Gyokeres That Sealed His Arsenal Move

A brief conversation and a few words were all it took to convince manager Mikel Arteta that Viktor Gyokeres was the right signing for Arsenal.

The exact timing is unclear, but a Zoom meeting between the two was enough for the Spaniard to want the Swede, then at Sporting, by his side in London.

Mikel Arteta discussed how Viktor Gyokeres' arrival would change Arsenal's style of play. "Well, he's going to bring a different level of threat," Arteta said in an interview with Men in Blazers.

"I've never had a number nine like this, never. The truth is we've been adapting to the players we have and trying to get the best out of them. And now we have someone with a unique ability to score goals. [Last season] He did it more often than almost any other player in Europe. And that's a huge quality to have in a team."

With Viktor Gyokeres boasting a record of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, Mikel Arteta was asked if it was simply these impressive numbers that convinced him that the Swedish striker was the ideal signing.

The Spaniard then revealed the most important factor in his decision to pursue the Swede, who had reportedly always only wanted Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta revealed that during his first Zoom call with Viktor Gyokeres, he gained the most valuable insight into the player.

He explained that after sharing his vision with Viktor Gyokeres, he asked him to imagine wearing the Arsenal shirt, walking into the dressing room, and carrying the weight of expectation.

According to Mikel Arteta, Viktor Gyokeres' eyes widened as he responded that it was his dream. Mikel Arteta stressed that while statistics were important, the decisive factor was whether a player could embrace that pressure and be ready for the Premier League, and for him, that moment was the clearest indicator.

"That's how I knew how that player was going to behave when he stepped onto the pitch, with that confidence, that dominance, and almost an arrogance of saying, 'Don't worry, I'll take care of it,'" Arteta confided, adding that at that moment, he had no more doubts.

Viktor Gyokeres has had a mixed but ultimately promising start to his pre-season with the club. His first appearance came as a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat to rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong.

While the Gunners' attack struggled to break down a well-organised Spurs defence, Viktor Gyokeres' brief cameo was met with a roar from the crowd, and he gave a glimpse of his physical presence, though he was unable to influence the outcome.

The Swedish international then went on to showcase his talents more fully in subsequent matches at the Emirates Stadium. His hard work was rewarded in the final pre-season match against Athletic Club when he scored his first goal for the club, a powerful header from a Martin Zubimendi cross.

The goal, which helped seal a 3-0 victory and the Emirates Cup, was a huge moment for both the player and the fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his first strike.

With Gabriel Jesus still recovering from injury, all eyes are now on Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line in Arsenal's Premier League opener against Manchester United.

The pressure is on for the new signing to deliver on his significant transfer fee, and his debut at Old Trafford against a new-look United team will be a true test of his readiness for the challenges of the Premier League.