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Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres with Pep Guardiola and David Raya fully aware of his talents.
It has been a position that every Arsenal fan and even those from the outside looking in have been urging Mikel Arteta to address for some time, and it looks like their prayers have finally been answered.
Zubimendi will add metronomic control to the midfield and has earned comparisons to Xabi Alonso in the past. There is no shame in having to play second fiddle to one of the best to ever do it for club and country.
Speculation mounts as Arsenal near Viktor Gyokeres transfer
The Sweden international’s goal-scoring record in Portugal is well-documented and even a 50% reduction in these numbers would still see him comfortably end the season as top goalscorer.
Gyokeres isn’t just a one-trick pony and offers a variety in attack that has been missing for some time; not only can he run in behind and score goals, but he can link play too and occupy centre-halves long enough for others to capitalise.
With Bukayo Saka on one side and reports of interest in Rodrygo to fill the slot on the other side of the attack, Arsenal’s forward line could have a frightening new look to it by the time the season kicks off.
What have they said about Viktor Gyokeres?
When Arsenal faced Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League last season David Raya was fully aware of the threat that Gyokeres offered: "We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one v. one and he is a top player in form,” Raya told ESPN.
"We are going to try and keep him very, very quiet. Don't give him any chances. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a great job and keep a clean sheet."
Another who was also fearful of Gyokeres was Pep Guardiola who, via Mais Futebol said:
“We have Erling Haaland, the best striker in the world.
“Gyökeres is a very important player for them, but he has been with (Ruben) Amorim for a long time, you can see the patterns, the joy.”
Guardiola learned the hard way after Gyokeres scored three against his team in a dramatic 4-1 win for Sporting Lisbon which, hopefully, won’t be the last time that Arsenal’s new recruit sends Pep home with his tail between his legs.
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