Gyokeres Aims to Carve His Own Arsenal Legacy, Avoiding Henry Comparisons

Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal's newest addition, is eager to establish his own identity at the club and wants to avoid comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, despite inheriting the iconic number 14 shirt. The Swedish international completed his move to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, joining Mikel Arteta's squad as they gear up for another Premier League title challenge.

Gyokeres arrives with a prolific scoring record, having netted an impressive 68 goals in the Primeira Liga during his two seasons with Sporting CP, helping them secure consecutive league titles. His overall tally stands at 97 goals in 102 appearances, showcasing his ability to find the back of the net consistently.

Acknowledging the history associated with the number 14 shirt, famously worn by Thierry Henry, Gyokeres stated that it was an easy choice due to limited available numbers. Henry, a legendary figure at Arsenal, scored 228 goals in 377 appearances, winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and four Premier League Golden Boots during his tenure.

Despite the legacy, Gyokeres insists his focus is on creating his own path. He said, "Of course, I know about the history. To be honest, there weren't so many numbers available... But, of course, that one was available. So, when I knew that, it was an easy choice to take it. It's not really my intention to be compared with what he's achieved in his career... 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."