Arsenal’s recent signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP has sparked internal conflict at the club, with claims emerging that manager Mikel Arteta and the club hierarchy were not in agreement over the move. The striker was finally brought to the Emirates last month for a potential £63.5 million, a deal that saw him immediately handed the iconic No.14 shirt, drawing comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
However, doubts have been raised regarding the motivations behind the signing, with pundits like Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes suggesting that the decision may have caused division in the club’s ranks.
A Division Among Arsenal Chiefs
Carragher discussed this issue during The Overlap Fan Debate, referencing a report from James McNicholas of The Athletic, who suggested that the signing of Gyokeres was largely driven by Arsenal’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta. The report insinuated that Berta had changed the club’s transfer direction, moving away from their long-standing interest in Benjamin Sesko in favor of Gyokeres.
Scholes also voiced his concerns, questioning whether Arteta truly wanted Gyokeres as his primary striker, suggesting that the club may have been uncertain about the decision: “There was a lot of um-ing and ah-ing about it. I wonder if Mikel Arteta really wanted him,” Scholes remarked. He acknowledged Gyokeres’ impressive goal record, but questioned his unusual career trajectory, which has included stints at Brighton, Coventry, and Sporting Lisbon.
Gyokeres’ Impressive Track Record
Gyokeres, 27, has certainly impressed with his goal-scoring abilities. In Portugal, he netted 97 goals in 101 appearances and scored 15 times for Sweden on the international stage. Despite the controversy surrounding his signing, Gyokeres is set to make his competitive debut for Arsenal in their upcoming match against Manchester United on August 17.
After the deal was finalized, Arteta expressed that Gyokeres’ strong desire to move to Arsenal was a key factor in bringing him to the club. The Swedish striker rejected an approach from Manchester United in favor of the Gunners, even going as far as refusing to train with Sporting this summer as he negotiated his transfer.
While Gyokeres’ future at Arsenal remains uncertain amid these internal disagreements, his goal-scoring prowess and determination to join the club suggest he could still make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
