Alan Smith tells Mikel Arteta the tactical change he’ll have to make after Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres

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Arsenal are almost there in their quest to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.

After weeks of negotiations that have seen Gyokeres go on strike and Andrea Berta locked in talks over initial fees and add-ons, a total agreement has been struck for the Swede.

It is now expected that Gyokeres will undergo a medical at the club and could even be part of the tour to Asia with games against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon.

Arteta wanted Gyokeres for the tour in order for the player to settle into the system and his new surroundings but Gunners legend Alan Smith has told the Spaniard he may have to ‘tweak’ his plans amid the arrival of the 27-year-old.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta has told the Arsenal board that he’s ‘obsessed’ with one transfer target, it has to happen

Alan Smith thinks Arsenal will need to play ‘quickly’ upon Viktor Gyokeres arrival

Speaking to Hayters TV, Smith believes that the Gunners will have to slightly change the way they play upon the arrival of the Sporting Lisbon forward.

Arteta likes his side to have control of the game and they are very methodical in their build-up, the former striker thinks that will have to change.

Smith stated: “Arsenal would maybe have to tweak the way they play with him in the team in order to service his qualities and get the ball through to him quickly.

I’m sure they’d do that, Arteta is a very clever coach. If you get him in the team it would give the whole squad a lift into believing they can take that next vital step.”

It has been mooted that Arteta could change formation with Gyokeres and go back to a more traditional 4-4-2 with the Swede up top alongside Kai Havertz.

That is unlikely given the Spaniard’s work on building his philosophy over the last five years, however, it does give Arteta an abundance of options of how to set up depending on the opposition.

Alan Smith can’t understand the negativity around Noni Madueke’s arrival

Gyokeres is not the only attacking option through the door this summer after the club confirmed the signing of Noni Madueke.

Declan Rice is looking forward to playing with Madueke and Smith believes it will be an excellent signing for the club despite the negative reaction from some fans.

Smith explained: “Yeah, it was a bit of a surprise on my part, but I don’t get the reaction, I don’t get the negative reaction, the vitriol in some quarters that I think is disgraceful.

“He’s a young player, he’s an England international, good experience, can play on both flanks, versatile. I see him as a very good signing, someone at his age who will get better under a talented coach like Arteta.”

With both Madueke and Gyokeres to integrate into the side, friendlies at the Emirates Stadium against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao now take on added importance before that crucial season opener at Old Trafford.