William Saliba has welcomed the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres at Arsenal, calling the Swedish striker a “scary” opponent and backing him to be a game-changer in the Premier League title race.
Saliba Full of Praise for New Teammate
As reported by ESPN, Saliba didn’t hold back in his admiration for the Gunners’ new number 14: “We know how good he is, it’s scary to play against him. Of course, I’m so happy to have him in my club and I’m sure that he will help us to win games and win trophies.”
The French defender added, “When you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused! But now he’s in our team and he will score for us, so that’s good.”
Gyökeres officially joined Arsenal on July 26th in a deal worth a reported €73.5 million. The 6ft 2in striker netted 97 goals in just two seasons for Sporting and is expected to lead the line as Arsenal aim to end a five-year wait for silverware.
Arsenal’s New Centre-Forward Brings a Different Profile
Unlike recent Arsenal number 9s, Gyökeres brings a different set of qualities. While the club has traditionally prioritised technical finesse in that role, the Swede offers raw power, pace, and a directness that could reshape Arsenal’s attack.
His arrival may force tactical tweaks from Mikel Arteta, who now has the luxury of alternating between Gyökeres’ physical presence and Kai Havertz’s finesse. However, Saliba’s comments echo the sentiment around the club: having a prolific goalscorer who thrives in transition and relishes physical duels can only be a positive.
“Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we will give everything from the first game,” Saliba added. “We have a lot of new players and they will hopefully help us to win this league.”
With the Frenchman anchoring the defence and Gyökeres now spearheading the attack, Arsenal fans have every reason to dream big this season.
Excited by Saliba’s comments? Let us know below!
Benjamin Kenneth
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It must be so mentally draining being so close to winning two times in a row, and then having to try find the mental energy to go again for a third season.
They’re living the dream, dude
Like all Arsenal fans , I want this to work . It is a step up in class to come back to England and score against some of the best defences in the world. Ironically , the “low block” wont hinder Gyokeres too much as he scores plenty of dirty goals !
He will need to play at his best. He scored goals but in a much weaker league.
All this talk of him playing in a weaker league in Portugal, while I acknowledge that. For me the ball is the same shape, the goals are the same size, and the grass is green.
We just need to create enough chances for him, to show us that he’s the natural goal scorer that we’ve been led to believe. 👍
And they forget he put 3 past City.
Derek, all these folks are talking mumbo jumbo because the manager clearly wanted Sesko while Bertha the boss hired Gyoks. Hope he is not made to play LB as we have not yet hired someone for that position, so that Kai can continue leading the line.
We need to remember that two of those three were pens.
Although he did play well that game.
And Christiano Ronaldo missed 30 pens in his career while Gabby J missed 7, does that make Gabby a better player than Ronaldo?
Yes I completely agree.
I mentioned on a different article, our midfield is far more superior than the midfield that was supplying him with assists so we need to take that into account as well.
Derek
It is the finishing for me, that’s what we desperately needed. Don’t care about the league, I care he put the ball in the net.
He doesn’t need 4 chances to score a goal like Jesus and Havertz, Gyokeres finishes not waste chances.
As for 97 goals in 102 games in Portuguese league, anyone think Jesus or Havertz would come anywhere close to those goals if they were in Portuguese league?
Play Gyokeres as a clinical 9, not some false 9 inverted nonsense that Havertz and Jesus had to play.
Durand,
I completely agree with your post, point well made. 👍
Arsenal must not stop here, The capture of Eze would in no doubt improve the service to the Big Sweed
Also, Martinelli may all of a sudden be a huge threat again on the wing with Eze in the left 8.
Have you seen a pic of this guy without his shirt. That physique is definitely scary. The Incredible Hulk and a Mo Salah goal celebration come to mind.
Bruised Banana,
With a physique like that, I bet Gyokeres steers clear of those Domino Pizza’s, your always on about. 🤣😂👍
🤔 Along with a pint, that may be how he got that way without having to get mad and turn into the Hulk. Rumour has it he’s a gunner from before the AW revolution 🤣 (or is that evolution?)