Viktor Gyokeres statement and response to ‘disrespectful’ Arsenal star says everything
Arsenal are set for a pivotal summer transfer window and Viktor Gyokeres is reportedly at the top of their wish list, with the Sporting CP striker in sensational form
As Arsenal gear up for a significant summer transfer window, their search for a commanding centre forward has cast a wide net. Sporting CP’s dynamic striker Viktor Gyokeres – whose remarkable goalscoring feats for both club and country have become impossible to overlook – is at the centre of their attention.
Mikel Arteta, smarting from a season where injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz revealed a fragile attack, is scouring Europe for a game-changing striker. Gyokeres – who has an astonishing 96 goals in 101 games for Sporting – is a name circulating in Arsenal’s sphere.
It’s understood he’s available for £60million, with Sporting reportedly agreeing to lower their asking price despite the £84m release clause in his contract. This, however, almost certainly means Arsenal won’t get a clear run at him, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and PSG all keeping tabs on the 26 year old.
Nonetheless, the Gunners will back their chances as they plan to go all out to address their goalscoring issues this summer. Gyokeres certainly fits the bill, but it’s more than just his clinical finishing that will appeal to Arteta and his team.
His recent retort to a cheeky dig from Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, coupled with glimpses of his infectious character, reveals a player filled with the confidence, tenacity, and mischief to potentially set the Emirates Stadium alight next season, reports the Mirror.
During a Champions League match between Arsenal and Sporting last November, Gabriel netted a header from a corner and celebrated by mimicking the iconic celebration of Swedish player Gyokeres. The Swede’s signature move – interlocking his fingers to cover his face in a nod to DC Comics villain Bane – was replicated by Gabriel, who, according to some on social media, styled his version as a Batman-esque riposte.
Sporting fans and even Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg labelled the act “disrespectful”. However, Gyokeres took it in stride, responding with a cheeky Instagram post of himself performing the celebration, captioned: “Always with respect.”
He also brushed off the incident after the match, telling reporters: “Gabriel’s celebration? He’s welcome to steal it… I didn’t know he did that, but it’s fun he likes my celebration.”
This minor incident provides an insight into how Gyokeres might handle the pressure at Arsenal. The Premier League is a hotbed of egos and rivalries, where every action is under the microscope.
By responding with humour rather than malice, Gyokeres demonstrated he’s not only ready for the challenge but capable of thriving in it.
His reaction also reveals a player who doesn’t take himself too seriously, and speaks volumes about his character – a mix of self-assuredness and humility that would appeal to any manager.
Gyokeres’ composure in challenging times is well-documented. His last match for Coventry City before his 2023 switch to Sporting was the Championship play-off final, where they lost on penalties to Luton Town.
Reflecting on the near-miss for Premier League promotion, Gyokeres said: “It’s tough, but you have to go through the lows to appreciate the highs,” adding, “You learn from it, and it makes you stronger.”
He took to Instagram two days post-defeat, sharing a message of resilience: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fall.”
His ability to remain level-headed, even after setbacks, indicates a mental toughness that would likely impress Arsenal boss Arteta, who values character as well as skill. With Arsenal having faced their own frustrations in recent title pursuits, Gyokeres’ grounded nature could prove beneficial.
Yet, it’s his sense of humour that also stands out. In 2023, Gyokeres admitted to gifting Sweden teammate and then-Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson a framed photo of himself scoring against Johansson, following a Championship game earlier that year.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Gyokeres recounted the prank: “He received a Christmas present after the goal – a picture of me scoring the goal, and I signed it and framed it,” he explained. “It was his Christmas present… he has teased me before when I haven’t scored. So it was nice now when I scored the goals.”
A former Coventry staffer reminisced about Viktor Gyokeres, saying: “He [Gyokeres] has always been a bit of a joker, but he knows when to switch it on for the game.”
Naby Sarr, who had the task of marking Gyokeres during his time at Reading, labelled him as “poison” on the field, highlighting his relentless nature and determination. Speaking to RMC Sport, Sarr said, “What sets him apart from the others is that he’s not lazy,” and added, “His mindset has always been to tell himself that no ball is unplayable. Even if he seems unexploitable and is five meters behind, he’ll go for it. He’s poison.”
Away from the pitch, Wesley Jobello, a former Sky Blues midfielder, described Gyokeres as a “friendly, humble” lad, always eager to improve, even when his finishing skills were once seen as lacking.
Gyokeres has since proven his mettle with an impressive tally of 53 goals in 51 matches this season, including a stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, effectively quieting critics who doubted his ability to adapt to the Premier League after shining in the Primeira Liga.
His resilience and capacity to overcome adversity are what truly set him apart, along with his work ethic, desire to get better, and his talent for bringing a team together.
Gaetan Bong, the former Brighton colleague of Viktor Gyokeres, confessed he was “baffled” by the striker’s spectacular progression, remembering a player with once ‘mediocre’ technical abilities. But Bong also praised his determination, saying, “He was always working, always pushing.”
Sporting boss, Rui Borges, lavished praise on Gyokeres: “There are no adjectives to describe Viktor. He is an extraordinary striker, very important to our team. He has helped the team to grow with confidence… He passes it on to his team-mates.
“He is a focused player, who pays attention to details, he is competitive, never lets his guard down, and doesn’t want to rest. He instils confidence in his team-mates with what he gives to the team.”
With Arsenal previously rallying behind the leadership qualities of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, the influential Gyokeres could prove to be a catalyst for the squad’s ambitions, potentially converting three consecutive runner-up spots into a championship triumph.
As speculations mount ahead of the transfer window, Gyokeres’ possible signing denotes more than just a prolific scorer. He exemplifies resilience, having overcome playoff disappointments and former challenges at Brighton with unwavering tenacity.
Moreover, he’s known to boost the locker room atmosphere while also being fiercely focused when necessary. At 26, Gyokeres is reaching the zenith of his career and appears poised to fulfil Mikel Arteta’s urgent requirement for a potent No.9.
