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Tag: Gyokeres

  • Gyokeres makes Arsenal a much better team – Arteta

    Gyokeres makes Arsenal a much better team – Arteta

    There is never a bad time for a striker to score, but Viktor Gyokeres’ relief was obvious as he ended a barren run with two goals in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. It can be the start of a prolific spell, manager Mikel Arteta believes.

    After three goals in his first four matches, £64m signing Gyokeres failed to find the net in Arsenal’s next seven games and looked visibly frustrated at times.

    But his team-mates continued to praise his overall impact and Arteta said he gave the striker a hug after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday in appreciation for the effort he was putting in.

    The 27-year-old has had to play more than was planned at this stage of the season because of a knee injury to Kai Havertz, featuring for 90 minutes seven times in Arsenal’s opening 12 matches.

    But after finding his clinical touch again in the thumping win over Atletico on Tuesday, Gyokeres’ tally now stands at five goals in 12 matches and his manager thinks the strikes were reward for his persistence.

    “He deserved it because everything that we were seeing in terms of what he was bringing to the team and how much he was helping the team in many areas, apart from scoring goals in the last few weeks, there was no debate about that,” said Arteta.

    “It was about keeping that belief in himself, that emotional state that he can enjoy and play freely.

    “I think he has certainly done that today, [he had] a big smile on his face.

    “Look at his team-mates as well, in the picture and the video, they are all so happy for him because he fully deserves it.”

    BBC

  • ‘No intention’ to be compared with Henry – Gyokeres

    ‘No intention’ to be compared with Henry – Gyokeres

    New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres says he just wants “to do my own thing” after taking the number 14 shirt previously worn by the club’s all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry.

    The 27-year-old completed his transfer – worth up to £64m (73m euros) – on Saturday, ending the Gunners’ hunt for a striker to help their quest to lift a trophy for the first time since the FA Cup in 2020 in Mikel Arteta’s first season.

    Henry’s 228 goals in 377 games made him synonymous with Arsenal’s number 14 shirt.

    And speaking before what could be his first match in Arsenal colours in Hong Kong against rivals Tottenham on Thursday, Gyokeres says it was an “easy” choice to make when selecting his squad number.

    “Of course I know about the history,” said Gyokeres.

    “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.”

    Henry won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Premier League Golden Boot four times with Arsenal, but Gyokeres is not worried about any comparisons that may come between the two.

    “I don’t know. It’s not really my intention to be compared with what he’s achieved in his career,” he said.

    Read Also: Arsenal agree Viktor Gyokeres transfer

    “Especially here. I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course he was an amazing player, but different from me. I just want to try to do my own thing.”

    Arteta said he felt the number would be a good fit for Gyokeres after their initial meeting.

    “I use the word conviction and that’s the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him,” he explained.

    “Someone very determined, someone that was already really attached to the club 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.”

    There has been a huge fan reaction to Gyokeres’ signing with purchases of his replica shirt breaking club records.

    “Of course it’s great to see. It’s very nice. Of course that gives you extra motivation,” he added.

    “I think I have enough expectations on myself. I’ll just try to perform anyway.”

    BBC

  • ‘Gyokeres will not leave Sporting for £59m’

    ‘Gyokeres will not leave Sporting for £59m’

    Sporting have not received an offer for striker Viktor Gyokeres and there is no ‘gentleman’s agreement’ for him to leave for £59m, says club president Frederico Varandas.

    Sweden international Gyokeres, 27, has been heavily linked with Manchester United and Arsenal after scoring 97 goals in 102 matches during two seasons in Portugal.

    He has a 100m euro (£85m) release clause in his contract.

    It has been widely reported that, after staying at Sporting last summer, Gyokeres and Sporting agreed he could leave for 70m euros (£59m) this summer.

    However, Varandas said the club’s only promise to Gyokeres was that they would not demand his full release clause.

    “I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for 60m euros plus 10m euros because I never promised that,” Varandas said.

    “To this day Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres – neither today nor last season.”

    Gyokeres spent three seasons with Coventry City in the Championship before joining Sporting under Ruben Amorim.

    Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana was sporting director at Sporting last summer, when Gyokeres’ agent sought assurances about his leaving if a suitable offer arrived.

    Read Also: Arsenal, Man United fingered  in  Osimhen’s Al- Hilal snub

    “One of the agent’s biggest concerns was whether we would demand the termination clause,” said Varandas.

    “He wanted to guarantee certain things. And what was agreed? That Sporting would not demand a release clause now.

    “For one reason: he was going to be 27 years old and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100m euros or 90m euros.

    “In that same meeting the agent wanted to anchor the exit to a value. I said this sentence: ‘It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know if it will be 40m euros, 60m euros or 80m euros. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100m euros.’”

    BBC