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Michael Owen says Viktor Gyokeres has already done something that will make life at Arsenal much harder

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Arsenal know that all eyes will be on whether they can end their trophy drought next season.

Andrea Berta has delivered six new signings already this transfer window and the Gunners are not finished just yet.

Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo are still very much in their sights moving into the final few weeks of the window but player sales are now taking priority.

Perhaps the biggest signing of the summer so far has come in the form of new centre forward Viktor Gyokeres but former England striker Michael Owen believes the Swede’s task at delivering the goods in North London has already become a lot tougher.

READ MORE: What Kai Havertz did when he first met Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal speaks volumes

Viktor Gyokeres' number 14 shirt before Arsenal v Newcastle in the Pre-Season Friendly clash.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Michael Owen believes Viktor Gyokeres under more pressure in Thierry Henry’s Arsenal shirt

Speaking to talkSPORT, Owen has expressed his belief that Gyokeres has heaped more pressure on himself to deliver at Arsenal by taking the number 14 shirt at the club – famously worn by Thierry Henry.

Owen stated: “The pressure on him is incredible. Arsenal have been needing a centre-forward for a long time now. All of a sudden they have one and everyone thinks that’s the missing piece of the jigsaw.

“He’s taken number 14 which adds another load of pressure on with Thierry Henry, in his shadow in a number of ways.”

Gyokeres actually preferred number nine but that shirt is already taken at the club by Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus.

There are many people who believe Gyokeres has shown a strong mentality by taking Henry’s number, but Owen doesn’t think his arrival makes Arsenal title favourites.

Owen explained: “If he strikes and he’s good, then Arsenal are serious challengers again, but if not, then I can’t see anything but Liverpool.”

Dennis Bergkamp’s number ten shirt still available at Arsenal

Should the Gunners make one more attacking acquisition, as is their wish, another iconic shirt number at the club is still available.

Dennis Bergkamp wore the number ten shirt during his incredible spell in North London and it has been vacant ever since the departure of Emile Smith Rowe last summer.

Emile Smith Rowe's number ten shirt before Arsenal v Sunderland in the Carabao Cup Quarter Final.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The number is synonymous with creative talents, who possess flair and the ability to change games on their own.

The likes of Eze and Rodrygo can do just that and if Berta can initiate the departures of the likes of Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard, the Emirates may well have another star to worship before the summer window ends.