Viktor Gyokeres Warned He Will Have to ‘Adapt’ at Arsenal by Ex-Striker Ahead of Blockbuster Transfer

Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere urges Viktor Gyokeres to adjust quickly to life in the Premier League — and at a club now obsessed with titles

It’s not every summer that Arsenal fans get to welcome a striker who’s just rattled in nearly 40 goals in a single league season. But this one feels different. Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish goal machine from Sporting CP, is on the brink of joining the Gunners — and expectations couldn’t be higher.

Arsenal are aiming big. After finishing second in back-to-back Premier League campaigns, Mikel Arteta‘s side is no longer satisfied with just coming close. The message is clear: it’s title or bust. And Viktor Gyokeres, fresh off a stunning year in Portugal, is being brought in to push the club over the line.

But not everyone is convinced it’ll be a seamless transition.

From Lisbon to London: The Pressure Is On

Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who knows exactly what it’s like to be part of a high-expectation squad — having been a member of the iconic 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ — has sent a clear message to Viktor Gyokeres: this won’t be easy.

“Will there be pressure on Viktor Gyokeres? Of course,” Aliadiere told UK Riches. “Anyone who joins Arsenal now will know the target. They will know the goal. Finishing in the top four or even the top two isn’t good enough. It’s about winning the Premier League — and that’s what everyone connected to the club wants.”

It’s a fair point. Arsenal aren’t signing Viktor Gyokeres to pad their squad. They’re signing him to win them the league, end a title drought stretching all the way back to 2004, and elevate the attacking line with a presence that can match the Premier League’s finest.

A Stunning Season in Portugal

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Gyokeres arrives with a CV that would make any striker blush. 39 goals in 33 league games — those are video game numbers. But they weren’t just tap-ins and penalties. His performances for Sporting CP showcased a striker who combines power, pace, and ruthlessness in the box. He terrorized defenses in Portugal with his direct style and relentless work rate, and at times looked completely unplayable.

It’s no wonder that Sporting, a club not known for letting talent leave on the cheap, reportedly held out for a fee close to €90 million (£76.5m/$98m) — and it looks like Arsenal were happy to oblige.

But the Premier League isn’t the Primeira Liga. And as countless players have learned the hard way, what works in one league doesn’t always translate directly into England’s top flight.

Adapting to Arteta’s Arsenal

That’s the key challenge, according to Aliadiere. It’s not just about putting the ball in the net. It’s about fitting into Arteta’s intricate system, one that demands more from its No.9s than just goals.

“Gyokeres won’t be the only star at Arsenal,” Aliadiere noted. “They have many other superstars and egos and all that stuff. He is going to have to adapt to play for the team. If he does, he can achieve great things.”

Indeed, Arsenal’s attacking setup isn’t built around one talisman. With players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz, the system is fluid, technical, and highly structured. Strikers are expected to press, link play, and make smart, often selfless runs — something Gabriel Jesus has done to great effect, even if he’s not been as prolific as some fans would like.

So the big question isn’t whether Viktor Gyokeres can score — we know he can. It’s whether he can do all the other things Arteta demands from his forwards. Can he drop deep to open space? Can he handle the defensive duties in a high press? Can he combine quickly in tight spaces?

That’s where his success — or struggle — may be determined.

A Club on the Brink of Glory

There’s a sense of almost there that’s hung around Arsenal for the past two seasons. Both 2022-23 and 2023-24 ended with the Gunners agonizingly short of the title. First it was a spring collapse that allowed Manchester City to swoop in. Then it was an epic run-in where Arsenal won nearly every game — and still fell just one point short.

That hurt. But it also galvanized the club.

This summer, Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have moved quickly. In addition to Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal are working on further additions to beef up the midfield and defense. The aim is not just to compete — it’s to dominate.

And for that, a striker who can turn half-chances into goals is a necessity.

Gyokeres Knows the Stakes

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From all accounts, Viktor Gyokeres is under no illusions. He had other options — including offers from clubs in Germany and even some whispers of interest from PSG. But Arsenal, reportedly, was always his first choice.

Why? Because he wants to compete for the Premier League title, and because he sees Arsenal as a team that’s ready to win now.

It helps that Arteta’s project has an irresistible pull. The Spaniard has transformed Arsenal from a team in transition into a well-oiled machine — one that plays arguably the most aesthetically pleasing football in Europe, and does so with purpose.

For a player like Viktor Gyokeres, this is the ultimate test. And he seems ready to embrace it.

What Comes Next?

Gyokeres has now been given permission to fly to London and complete his medical, with the final details of the deal expected to be wrapped up in the coming days. Meanwhile, Arsenal are currently in Singapore, where they’re set to face Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly this Sunday.

If all goes well, Viktor Gyokeres could join the squad soon after and begin integrating ahead of the Community Shield and opening Premier League fixtures.

Fans are already dreaming of what he could bring to the table. A more direct presence up front, aerial threat, a ruthless edge — things Arsenal have arguably lacked since the days of peak Robin van Persie.

Final Thoughts: A Blockbuster Deal That Must Deliver

There’s no escaping the weight of expectation here. This is a blockbuster transfer by any definition, and with that comes pressure. But Viktor Gyokeres, with his bullish style and goal-scoring instinct, might be exactly what Arsenal have been missing.

The adaptation won’t be instant. It rarely is. But if the Swedish forward can embrace Arteta’s philosophy, sync with his teammates, and shoulder the responsibility that comes with being Arsenal’s frontman — then the Gunners might just have found their missing piece.

Because now, it’s not about qualifying for Europe. It’s not about progress.

It’s about winning the Premier League.

And Viktor Gyokeres, ready or not, is expected to lead that charge.