Viktor Gyokeres' actions speak for themselves as Mikel Arteta is told what he's like

Arsenal have been given a glimpse into what they can anticipate from Viktor Gyokeres as he gears up for his first competitive match in Gunners colours.

Mikel Arteta's side, which has finished second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons, is banking on the Swedish forward to be the final piece of their puzzle following his £63.7million transfer from Sporting CP.

Gyokeres has evolved into one of Europe's most formidable strikers during his two-year stint in Lisbon. It's been an extraordinary journey for the 27-year-old, who was plying his trade in the Championship with Coventry City just over two years ago after some unimpressive loan spells.

Not many who knew him early in his career predicted his meteoric rise. However, those who've worked with him throughout his career highlight his unwavering focus, commitment and hatred of defeat, traits that will resonate well with Arsenal fans.

Gyokeres' competitive nature isn't confined to football. According to Peter Kisfaludy, one of his former youth coaches, a tennis match with then-girlfriend Amanda Nilden, also a footballer, resulted in the silent treatment from both.

Kisfaludy, who has dubbed Gyokeres the 'Swedish Orient Express', told The Sun: "They went on holiday to Spain and she is really good at table tennis. They also had a game of tennis and she won so they did not speak for two days. They are both really bad losers."

With that in mind, we take a look at what others have also said about Gyokeres' behaviour...

'Not a natural finisher'

Former Brighton manager Chris Hughton didn't peg Gyokeres as a natural finisher during his time at the club. Hughton said: "He wasn't the type that you think will have one or two chances and he'll put one of them away. But you knew he would always get chances.

"You knew he would because he always put himself in a position to get them. If you asked me then, would I see him as a player that would play at one of the top clubs in the Premier League, then I would have to say probably no, more than yes.

"He was a bright lad. Probably because of where he came from, his English was very good, which I think helped. He was a very mature lad for a young one. He was a confident lad. I think he had a strong belief in his own abilities."

Regarding Gyokeres' potential at a top club, Hughton added: "If you're a No. 9 going to Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, one thing you know is you're going to get lots of chances. I don't think it will faze him."

'Similar to Kane'

Gyokeres' career trajectory bears similarities to Harry Kane's early days. It involved multiple loan spells while at Brighton - at St Pauli, Swansea and Coventry - akin to Kane before his Tottenham breakthrough.

Ryan Bennett, who has shared the pitch with Gyokeres at Swansea and Kane at Norwich, said: "There are big similarities for me between Viktor and Harry Kane.

"Viktor did not make many starts for us and was not at Swansea long and he was a bit sluggish, although he did have a good mentality and was determined to succeed.

"When I was at Norwich, Harry came to us on loan and did not play much, so went back to Spurs. Later on, when I played against Spurs and Harry was in the team, it was like defending against a different player.

"It was the same with Viktor after he left Swansea. I played against him after he had moved to Coventry and his power had developed, his mindset was different and he was more aggressive. Like Harry, he has turned into a really top player."

'Throwing his toys out of the pram'

Gyokeres' career trajectory took a positive turn following a permanent switch to Coventry after an initial loan, when he found it challenging to secure a consistent starting role.

Sky Blues midfielder and former Gunners academy player Ben Sheaf told The Athletic: "When he came, he was in and out of the team and showed glimpses of quality.

"He signed permanently after the first loan, and he came back having put more muscle on and was even more physical. He'd do a lot of finishing drills after training. I remember once in training, we did 11-v-11, and the ball got thrown into him when I was playing against him.

"He pinned and rolled me, and I just couldn't do anything about it. That was the first time I remember thinking, 'Blimey, this is what opposition teams are going to feel.' That was the first time I felt his physicality."

His fiercely competitive streak would surface when he would throw his "toys out of the pram" at times.

Sheaf recalled: "He was always ultra-competitive in training. He'd throw his toys out of the pram if we didn't win a small-sided game. He's a serious guy until you get to know him and he opens up. He's a good lad but he'd be arguing in training, always wanting to win."

Mark Robins, now in charge at Stoke City, was one of the most significant figures in shaping Gyokeres' development. He characterised the Swedish forward as "robotic", explaining: "He's metronomic with his timing, with his tempo, with everything that he did.

"That, in a nutshell, was why he did so well in that relatively short space of time and again, why he's gone on to do other things."

Celebration respect

Gyokeres demonstrated he can dish it out as much as he can take it, based on his response to Gabriel copying his trademark goal celebration - linking his fingers across his face, drawing inspiration from DC Comics antagonist Bane - during Sporting's Champions League loss at Emirates Stadium last season.

Rather than taking umbrage, Gyokeres replied with a playful Instagram upload, posting an image of himself executing the celebration alongside the words: "Always with respect."

The duo can now anticipate performing the celebration in unison during what Arsenal hope will be a title-winning season, commencing at Manchester United next Sunday.