Arsenal fans have been offered a glimpse into Viktor Gyokeres' mindset following his high-profile transfer to the Emirates Stadium.
Just days ago, the Gunners ended their prolonged hunt for an elite centre-forward by finalising a £55million deal – potentially rising to £63.5 million – to bring the Swedish striker to north London. The club's previous shirt sales record was quickly eclipsed as supporters flocked to buy Gyokeres kits with free printing, particularly after he selected the iconic No. 14 shirt, memorably worn by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
The excitement hasn't been limited to the stands; Gyokeres himself has expressed plenty of joy about joining the club. In a behind-the-scenes video shared during his official introduction, the 27-year-old was asked how he felt, responding with a simple: "Better now."
The understated remark speaks volumes, reflecting both relief and anticipation after a drawn-out transfer saga was resolved. Securing Gyokeres' signature proved to be a complex process as Arsenal had been engaged in extended talks with Sporting CP, who initially played hardball over the transfer fee.
After notching an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances and guiding Sporting to consecutive Primeira Liga championships, Gyokeres was left disillusioned when the club seemed to backtrack on an informal agreement to let him go for about £58m – far below his £86m release clause.
This breakdown in understanding caused friction, especially when Arsenal shifted their attention toward a possible deal for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. In response, Gyokeres reportedly threatened to go on strike as leverage to push for the move.
Eventually, Sporting softened their demands, and with talks for Sesko hitting a wall, Arsenal reignited their interest in Gyokeres. Still, a resolution wasn't immediate.
At times, the deal looked like it might collapse altogether, frustrating fans and leaving Gyokeres in a state of uncertainty. Yet Arsenal's determination won out, and the striker has officially joined Mikel Arteta's squad as they aim to claim their first Premier League crown in over two decades this season.
Gyokeres' "better now" remark reveals more than just satisfaction – it signals emotional relief after weeks of limbo. The drawn-out saga, which dominated media coverage and stretched the resolve of all parties, has finally concluded. Now, he seems genuinely excited to begin this fresh chapter in the English capital.
The ex-Coventry City star, who astonishingly netted 54 goals in 52 games last season, is viewed as the final piece of the puzzle in Arteta's forward line. With his blend of speed, strength, and ruthless finishing, he's expected to supercharge Arsenal's title ambitions – and his upbeat energy is already generating a wave of optimism around his arrival.
Arteta will also be likely thrilled with how quickly Gyokeres has adapted. The Arsenal boss has always valued players who embrace the club's ethos, and Gyokeres' calm but driven mindset signals he's prepared to make an immediate impact.
"I know [Arsenal], I've watched them before, so they (Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta) didn't have to sell it for me. I was already excited about it," Gyokeres added. "To come here was a really big thing for me, to be honest."
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3 months ago
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