Viktor Gyokeres opted to complete a move to Arsenal this summer despite interest from Manchester United
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres is likely to be handed a start for Arsenal vs Man United
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres appears to be looking forward to Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Manchester United.
The Sweden international completed his move to the Emirates Stadium from Sporting Clube de Portugal in a deal worth an initial £55million, plus £8.7m in add-ons. United were also linked with him, with speculation of a reunion alongside his former boss Ruben Amorim.
In their hunt for a new centre-forward this summer, United were forced to turn to Benjamin Sesko, who joined the club over the weekend in a deal worth €76.5million (£66.4m) and €8.5m (£7.3m) in add-ons. Sesko himself had been linked with a move to Arsenal earlier on in the transfer window before the Gunners opted to sign Gyokeres instead.
The two strikers are likely to be the first-choice centre-forwards for their new clubs this season and could end up facing off against each other in the first game of the new campaign. Gyokeres featured in Arsenal’s friendlies against Tottenham, Villarreal, and Athletic Bilbao.
However, his first goal came against the latter, in their 3-0 victory that secured the Emirates Cup. A strong candidate to make make his first start in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday (August 17, 4.30pm), Gyokeres has already left a message on social media.
After the win over Bilbao, the striker wrote on Instagram: "Great atmosphere and great support. Ready for Sunday."
His former Sporting teammate Pedro Goncalves, replied with: "The show is about to start."
Mikel Arteta has been impressed with the 27-year-old, but Amorim will be eager to stop him from pulling off his usual tricks.
"I think his goals, his threat, I think he pins both centre-backs," Arteta said. "He’s a player that when you leave him with space, one against one he is going to destroy you.
"So he is going to create a lot of space for us, and in any situation he is a player who can score a goal."
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