Arsenal's new striker, Viktor Gyokeres, is causing ripples throughout the Premier League, with teammate William Saliba describing the Swede as a 'scary' prospect for their title rivals. The Gunners completed a £63.5m (€72.6m) transfer for Gyokeres last week, a move that had been slightly delayed due to negotiations over add-ons with his former club, Sporting CP.
Gyokeres, unveiled to fans in Singapore before Arsenal's 3-2 pre-season victory over Newcastle, is expected to be pivotal in ending Arsenal's 21-year title drought. His prolific goal-scoring record speaks for itself; he was the top scorer in Europe's top 10 leagues last season, netting an astounding 39 goals in just 33 Primeira Liga appearances, helping Sporting CP win their 21st league title. Even removing his 12 penalty goals, Gyokeres still outscored every other player in those leagues, surpassing even Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski's impressive tallies of 24 non-penalty goals each.
The difference in scoring prowess between Gyokeres and Arsenal's previous seasons is striking. Last season marked the first time since 1992-93 that no Arsenal player reached double figures in Premier League goals. This stark contrast to Gyokeres' 39 goals highlights the significant boost he brings to Arsenal's attacking capabilities.
Saliba, speaking after the Newcastle game, expressed his excitement about having Gyokeres on his team, stating that no Premier League defender will relish the prospect of facing him. He added, "When you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused! But now he’s in our team and he will score for us, so that’s good." The young defender also expressed unwavering confidence in Arsenal's ability to challenge for and win the Premier League title this season.
Arsenal's recent history includes three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, yet Saliba believes this year will be different. The team's determination to secure their first major trophy in five years, aside from the FA Cup win and two Community Shield triumphs, is evident. With their Premier League campaign kicking off against Manchester United on August 17, the pressure is on, but the Gunners, bolstered by Gyokeres' arrival, are ready to face the challenge.
