The former coach of one of Arsenal's new signings this summer shares his verdict on the Premier League switch.
Arsenal have been one of the most proactive teams in the transfer window this summer, addressing several issues from last season by signing new players.
While many players have been depth additions, they desperately needed a prolific goalscorer, something they lacked last season.
After a lot of hustle, the Gunners finally got their man in Viktor Gyokeres, who has been lighting up Liga Portugal for the last two seasons since moving from Coventry City.
The Swedish striker turned into a fan favourite in no time as he stacked up the goals and guided Sporting to the league title in his maiden campaign.
Looking at his exceptional goalscoring record, Arsenal pushed for the 27-year-old, and after a long tussle with Sporting over financial terms, they got their man.
Arsenal dished out around £63.7m ($85m) in transfer fees to finalise Gyokeres' move from Lisbon to North London.
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Following Gyokeres' switch to the Premier League, Sporting boss Rui Borges shared his thoughts in a recent interaction.
"He's a player who defined an era at Sporting and in Portuguese football, but unfortunately, he's gone," Borges told Sport TV.
"He was important in the last two seasons at Sporting, and we'll always be very grateful, but we're already in a different phase.
"We'll reinvent ourselves with what we have and with the new players to remain strong. Great players have passed through Sporting; everyone comes and goes, but the club retains its greatness and demands. We're already looking at a different path, with a different way of being and thinking, always striving to be competitive and victorious."
Gyokeres arrived as a player joining Sporting from the Championship, and there wasn't much hype around him, but after two years, he has netted 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting.
He also guided them to two Liga Portugal titles in as many years, and also won the Taca de Portugal in the last season.
Viktor Gyokeres has already broken records at Arsenal
The 27-year-old Swedish international was reportedly offered the number 10 kit, but he rejected it and instead opted for the number 14 kit.
Arsenal have a big history with the number 14 jersey as it was once worn by one of the greatest players to play for them - Thierry Henry.
It has also been worn by Theo Walcott and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the recent past, who have also had a decent impact for the Gunners.
Without anyone's surprise, Gyokeres received the warmest welcome from the Arsenal fans as he broke the Arsenal shirt sales record.
To celebrate his signing, Arsenal announced a promotional offer for fans to have 'Gyokeres 14' printed on their jerseys at no extra cost, and it was met with exceptional enthusiasm.
So much so that Arsenal's online jersey store crashed due to too much traffic.
This excitement and enthusiasm will also put pressure on Gyokeres, who needs to step up and perform for the Gunners in the upcoming season.
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