Viktor Gyokeres has revealed Mikel Arteta’s first message to him is to use his qualities as much as he can following his big-money transfer to Arsenal from Sporting CP. Gyokeres finally joined the Gunners last weekend after so much speculation regarding a move following his goalscoring exploits for the Portuguese club.
Arsenal have been crying out for a proven goalscorer in recent seasons and the hope will be that the Swedish international can guide the north London club to the major honours they are intent on winning. The 27-year-old linked up with the first-team squad on Sunday after jetting into Singapore in time to watch his new teammates beat Newcastle United 3-2.
Gyokeres has had limited time on the Arsenal training pitch since making the move but he is “feeling great” after finally get down to business with Arteta and his coaching staff.
When asked what Arteta’s first message to him was, he said: “Just try to use my qualities as much as I can. But as you said, I haven’t been here too long. I’ve only done one training session.
“I think I have to do a few more to come into it even more. So far it’s been feeling great. I’m looking forward to doing even more.”
Gyokeres was linked with Arsenal for quite some time before his transfer was finally finalised late on Saturday night. It was very much a waiting game for the Stockholm-born player prior to that.
“It’s been a new experience. I haven’t really been in that situation before,” he admitted. “It’s been a lot of waiting from my side. I wanted to come here, but it wasn’t that easy. But I’m finally here and it feels great.”
On what he was doing whilst waiting for his move to be given the green light, he added: “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.”
Amid the links with Arsenal over the past year, Gyokeres has been watching the team regularly ahead of his anticipated transfer.
“Of course I’ve been watching them,” he confessed. “Maybe not regularly. But when I’ve had the chance, I’ve been watching them.”
Gyokeres has proved to be a popular name on the back of Arsenal shirts since it was confirmed that he has inherited the iconic No.14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry. The new striker has admitted there weren’t many numbers available to take but it was an “easy choice” to pick 14 knowing it was vacant.
“Of course I know about the history,” said Gyokeres. “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.”
Gyokeres taking on Henry’s number will inevitably lead to comparisons with the club’s all-time top goalscorer. However, the ex-Coventry City man just wants to do his own thing at the club when it comes to making a name for himself.
“I don’t know. It’s not really my intention to be compared with what he’s achieved in his career,” revealed Gyokeres. “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.”
Another comparison that has come Gyokeres’ way involves Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. The 26-year-old was prolific in his two years for Benfica after notching 48 goals in 85 games but the goals have been harder to come by at Liverpool.
Some feel that Gyokeres could also struggle to replicate his form from Portugal in the Premier League considering the big jump in quality. The Swede has made it clear that many players have come from Portugal and succeeded in England’s top flight, though.
“I think I’ll have to adapt. But I think there are a lot of players from Portugal who have done even better in England,” he said.
“It depends on who you pick. I think 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.”
So has he set himself a goal target or any other targets at Arsenal?
“No, not really,” admitted Gyokeres. “Just to keep going the way I’ve been doing the last couple of years. Just trying to improve as well on the pitch. Try to help the team as much as I can.”
Gyokeres certainly isn’t new to England after his time with Brighton & Hove Albion, Swansea City and Coventry City. That should certainly make his Arsenal adaptation easier and it could result in him making his mark in the team sooner rather than later.
“I think it makes it easier. I’m used to the weather and everything around,” he admitted. “I’ve been in England before for a few years. So some aspects I think it helps.
“But of course there are a lot of new things as well. A new group, a new idea of playing. I think I need to adapt to that as well.”
His transfer to Arsenal also sees him reunited with Ben White after the pair were previously together at Brighton.
“Yeah, of course,” he said when asked if he’s spoken to his new Arsenal teammate. “It was great to see him again. It’s been a few years since I saw him. I’ve been speaking a little bit. It was great to see him and all the other teammates.”
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