arsenal have completed the signing of viktor gyokeres from sporting lisbon for 70 million pounds and the whole football world is buzzing about it because this is not just another striker signing this is a statement of intent this is arteta making it absolutely clear that arsenal are going all in on winning trophies that they are tired of falling short that they want to bridge the gap to manchester city and challenge in the champions league it is the culmination of months of work negotiation planning and above all belief that gyokeres is the missing piece the final part of the attacking puzzle that can turn arsenal’s exciting side into an unstoppable machine arsenal fans are celebrating this deal already because they know what kind of player gyokeres is they have watched his rise they have seen the goals the physicality the hunger the constant running the relentless pressing the lethal finishing they know he is a nightmare for defenders someone who does not give them a moment’s rest someone who is equally happy battling centre-backs with his back to goal spinning into channels or arriving in the box at the perfect moment arsenal have been looking for this type of striker for years ever since aubameyang left there has been a void lacazette tried nketiah tried jesus tried but none truly convinced as the long-term answer now arteta has his man the swedish international who lit up the portuguese league with sporting who scored for fun who delivered in big games who showed he can carry the burden of being the main man gyokeres is not a signing for rotation or depth he is the guy arteta wants leading the line every week the one he wants defenders worrying about the one he wants connecting with saka martinelli odegaard trossard smith rowe rice this is arteta’s vision of arsenal with gyokeres at the tip of the spear stretching teams pulling them apart creating space for others but also burying chances himself being the reliable ruthless number nine arsenal fans have been dreaming about for years this did not happen overnight arsenal have been watching gyokeres for a long time they saw what he did at coventry how he bullied championship defences how he led them to the playoff final how he always looked too good for that level but they wanted to wait to see how he would handle a step up when he moved to sporting they watched even closer arteta and edu both loved what they saw a player who did not just score but did everything they wanted from a modern striker pressing linking fighting dragging defenders out of position holding the ball up for runners and most importantly delivering goals in every competition he scored in the league in europe in cups he showed he could handle expectation the big crowds the pressure sporting fans loved him they knew he was too good to stay forever arsenal knew they needed to move quickly because they were not the only ones watching chelsea looked at him united scouted him psg were linked so arsenal made their move they opened talks with sporting early they made their intentions clear sporting played hardball they wanted the release clause they did not want to negotiate a lower fee they knew how valuable he was they knew other clubs would pay it arsenal did not flinch they were prepared they worked on the payment structure they planned the wages the bonuses the whole package they talked to gyokeres’s agents for months building trust explaining the project making it clear he would be the main man he would not be rotating he would be the centrepiece arteta even spoke to him personally selling the vision describing the patterns of play how he would fit how the team would play to his strengths gyokeres was convinced he liked arsenal’s style he liked arteta’s ideas he liked the premier league challenge he liked the chance to be the big striker at a giant club and he liked the supporting cast he would have with so many creative players feeding him the balls he thrives on but it was not simple because sporting knew they held the power they kept demanding the clause they would not move they waited for other clubs to come in arsenal held firm they did not want a bidding war they wanted gyokeres to make it clear he wanted them and he did he told sporting he wanted arsenal he told his agents to make it happen that was decisive because sporting realised they could not force him anywhere else they accepted arsenal’s structured payment at the full clause value with minor tweaks to help both sides arsenal fans watching the saga unfold were getting nervous they had seen too many windows where the big striker never arrived where deals fell apart at the last minute but this time arteta and the recruitment team were ruthless they would not take no for an answer they prioritised gyokeres above all other striker targets they kept the negotiations quiet no leaks no drama they just got it done now he is an arsenal player he has signed a long-term deal he has posed for the cameras at london colney he has met the teammates done the interviews smiled with arteta holding the red and white shirt he talked about what a big moment this is for him he said arsenal is exactly where he wants to be he talked about how big the club is the history the fanbase the project he praised arteta for convincing him and told fans he will give everything for them and arsenal fans believe him because gyokeres is not a flashy instagram star he is all business he is a warrior on the pitch he is a manager’s dream he runs until he drops he fights for every ball he presses like his life depends on it but he is not just a workhorse he has real quality he can finish with either foot he is strong in the air he makes smart runs he can drop deep to link play he is selfless but also selfish when needed he can score tap-ins but also curlers from outside the box he is a complete modern striker who fits arteta’s system perfectly arteta knows exactly how he wants to use him with saka and martinelli wide providing pace and width odegaard pulling strings behind rice covering the midfield spaces the full-backs pushing up gyokeres will be the reference point the target the release valve the goal threat who pins centre-backs back creates space for runners but also ends moves with a goal this signing is more than just buying goals it is about buying a way to control games to turn dominance into results to make sure all the pretty build-up does not end in frustration but in the back of the net arsenal have lacked that ruthless edge in big games last season they dominated city at times but could not kill them off they dropped points to teams that sat deep and defended well gyokeres is the answer to that problem he will force teams to defend deeper he will punish them if they give him space he will occupy defenders freeing up space for others arsenal will be less predictable more dangerous more complete and that is exactly what arteta wants because he knows this team is close so close to being champions they pushed city to the final weeks but fell just short they need that last push that last upgrade and gyokeres is that upgrade he is arriving at the perfect age in his prime with something to prove with the hunger to win trophies to score in big games to make his name in the premier league he is not intimidated by the pressure he wants it he has worked his whole career for this chance from sweden to england to portugal now back to england at the highest level ready to show everyone what he can do arsenal are not stopping here they want other signings they want depth in midfield maybe another wide player but gyokeres is the marquee signing the one the fans will sing about the one they will wear on the back of their shirts he is the striker who will lead the line at the emirates who will celebrate in front of the north bank who will hopefully lift trophies in the red and white he knows the expectation he knows the scrutiny he knows he will be judged on goals but he embraces that he thrives on it he is ready and arsenal are ready too the fans are dreaming again the emirates will be buzzing every time he steps on the pitch because they know he is the real deal the guy who can turn them from contenders to winners who can score the goals that matter in the games that decide titles who can terrorise defences across england and europe this is a new era for arsenal a statement that they will not settle for second best that they will spend what it takes that they will back their manager’s vision that they believe they can be the best team in england and europe and with viktor gyokeres leading the line there is every reason to believe they can do it that is why this signing matters that is why it is so exciting that is why arsenal fans are celebrating and dreaming and that is why arteta is smiling because he knows he has his man the one he wanted the one who can deliver the goals the wins the titles the glory the one who can make arsenal champions again
