* Arsenal - Newcastle: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 27/7
"Once the deal is done, we want the new player to integrate with the team as soon as possible," Arteta said at a press conference in Singapore on 25/7. "I think it's best to join immediately so they can start working with the team, get to know each other, and grasp the ideas we want to convey."
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Viktor Gyokeres (right) and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya flew to London on 25/7 to prepare for a medical examination. Photo: Fabrizio Romano |
Viktor Gyokeres (right) and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya flew to London on 25/7 to prepare for a medical examination. Photo: Fabrizio Romano
On 22/7, Arsenal reached an agreement to sign Gyokeres for over 74 million USD, plus 11.5 million USD in add-ons based on performance. The Swedish striker is expected to undergo a medical in London today before signing a five-year contract.
Gyokeres is likely to wear the number 14 shirt at his new club. Previous Arsenal players to wear number 14 include Eddie Nketiah, Theo Walcott, former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and legend Thierry Henry.
It's currently unclear when and where Gyokeres will join his new club. He will certainly miss the friendly against Newcastle in Singapore on 27/7. After that, the Gunners will travel to Hong Kong for a friendly against Tottenham on 31/7, before returning to London to face Villarreal on 6/8 and Bilbao on 9/8.
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Mikel Arteta during an Arsenal training session in Singapore on 25/7. Photo: Arsenal FC |
Mikel Arteta during an Arsenal training session in Singapore on 25/7. Photo: Arsenal FC
Arteta declined to comment when asked about the timing of Gyokeres' transfer completion. "I can't talk about a player who isn't part of the team yet. Whatever happens in the next few hours, the club will certainly announce it," the Spanish manager said.
Once finalized, Gyokeres will be Arsenal's sixth signing this summer, following Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, and Christian Norgaard. Except for Madueke, the other four players have already joined the club. Arteta said the English midfielder is still resting after playing for Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup and will return soon.
Arsenal have spent over 260 million USD on the aforementioned transfers and are still targeting Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), and Anthony Gordon (Newcastle). The club's spending spree has put pressure on Arteta to end their five-year trophy drought.
"Pressure is a great word," the 43-year-old manager expressed. "It shows there's belief in our ability to achieve our goals. In recent seasons, we've come very, very close to success. The whole team will decide together whether we can achieve it."
Arteta urged his players to focus on what needs to be done each day to reach the desired level and set requirements in line with the stated objectives. "Internal demands must always be higher than any external expectations. That's what we're striving for every day," he emphasized.
Hong Duy (ESPN & Arsenal FC)
