Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, journalist Pete O’Rourke stated that Arsenal are locked in a three-way battle for Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres this summer. It has been claimed that the Gunners are facing competition in the form of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to land the Swedish striker this off-season.
Gyokeres’ Excellent Form In Portuguese Football
Gyokeres enjoyed a productive campaign at the Portuguese club recently as he banged in goals for fun for them in Liga Portugal. The Swedish talent participated in 50 matches for Sporting CP last season, scoring 43 goals and picking up 15 assists in the process across all fronts.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a good run of form in Europe based on his average of 1.9 shots, 1.1 key passes and 1.0 dribbles per game in the UEFA Europa League. However, he needs to improve his link-up play in the final third after making just 73% of his attempted passes in European football (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Portuguese club will expire in the summer of 2028, so the Gunners would have to launch a big move if they want to lure Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium later this year.
Should Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Snap Gyokeres Up This Summer?
Gyokeres is proficient at finding some space for himself to get a few strikes in at goal. He is a good finisher in the final third and can create some inviting chances for others around him in the opponent’s half.
The Swedish talent is also quite clever with his movements in and around the opposition penalty box but needs to improve his link-up play up top. However, only time will tell whether he can maintain his good form in the Premier League if the Gunners end up winning the race for his services this summer.
Gyokeres would add more firepower to Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta’s frontline. He is more than capable of nailing down a regular first-team spot at the Emirates Stadium next season. Therefore, the North London club should focus on going all out to snap Gyokeres up before the end of this transfer period.
