On Saturday, Arsenal finally announced the signing of Viktor Gyokeres and a months-long transfer saga - and an even longer wait for a striker - has finally ended. Arsenal's interest in the Sweden international has been one of this summer's worst-kept secrets. The drawn-out affair of the negotiations has meant expectations are high, yet it is unclear whether he will be fit enough to start the season, when Arsenal face a difficult first few games.
On Saturday, Arsenal finally announced the signing of Viktor Gyokeres and a months-long transfer saga - and an even longer wait for a striker - has finally ended.
Arsenal's interest in the Sweden international has been one of this summer's worst-kept secrets. Even a few days prior to the announcement, fans were still debating whether Gyokeres was actually the right missing piece for the Gunners' squad.
The drawn-out affair of the negotiations has meant expectations are high, yet it is unclear whether he will be fit enough to start the season, when Arsenal face a difficult first few games. Regardless, fans will be desperate to see him hit the ground running.
Despite his impressive goal tally last season in Portugal, Gyokeres himself will also be on a mission to prove himself at his new club. His rumoured desperation to make the move to Arsenal has already endeared him to fans.
For too long, Arsenal have been a team of technical and skilled players, slotting together to make manager Mikel Arteta's perfect albeit polite attacking unit. Gyokeres represents a different approach, and fans will be expecting him to use his power to bully opponents in ways Arsenal could not do last season.
He will join a squad bolstered this transfer window by a fleet of smart, although not spectacular signings. As Arsenal experiment with their new-look midfield on pre-season in Singapore, the feelings remains this squad is one signing short.
Similarly, while busy with incoming players, Arsenal are yet to move some of the players who have fallen out of favour. Oleksandr Zinchenko's future is unclear, while fans continue to question whether an upgrade on Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli is needed. Funds from such sales could go towards an additional signing.
With Gyokeres, Arsenal have indeed got their man. But without an additional left-sided player, there might be a risk that come September, fans are left content but underwhelmed.
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Category: General Sports
