Pundit says £6m Arsenal player will get so much better this season because of Viktor Gyokeres

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Viktor Gyokeres has arrived at Arsenal this summer with an impressive pedigree.

The Swedish number nine netted an astounding 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP over the last two seasons – a goalscoring rate bettered by no one in Europe.

This form prompted Arsenal to battle to land Gyokeres, beating the likes of Manchester United and Juventus to his signature.

Given this pedigree and the fact that Andrea Berta opted to outlay £63 million on the 27-year-old, Mikel Arteta will have significant expectations for the player and how he can impact his team in the coming season.

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David Hillier says Viktor Gyokeres will ‘be great’ for Gabriel Martinelli

Such was the outstanding nature of his achievements in the 2024/25 season, Gyokeres was nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or last week.

The former Coventry City man has developed into a complete striker, excellent at dribbling and carrying the ball in wide spaces, as well as getting into dangerous positions inside the box.

As well as converting many chances himself, Gyokeres should get the best out of several other players in Arteta’s team.

While Martin Odegaard is likely to benefit from the Sweden international’s dynamic movement in behind, and Bukayo Saka will be given more room to operate in because of this, Gabriel Martinelli could also profit enormously.

Former Arsenal midfielder David Hillier identified the Brazilian as someone who could rediscover their form with Gyokeres in the team.

“It’s having that ability to affect the opposition,” Hillier said on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel.

“I’m hoping with Gyokeres, we see the danger he brings, if that blossoms, that can be key.

“It will be great for players like Saka, it will be great for Martinelli, and Odegaard will benefit from Zubimendi with those passes between the lines.”

How will Viktor Gyokeres help Gabriel Martinelli next season?

Arsenal signed Martinelli for £6 million in 2019, and he’s gone on to prove to be a bargain at this fee.

That said, the 24-year-old has struggled over the last two seasons and has subsequently been linked with a move away from N5.

However, Leandro Trossard is now reportedly ‘set to leave’ Arsenal, likely meaning the Brazil international will remain at the Emirates for the upcoming campaign.

Thus, Arteta must find a way to better use Martinelli, and Gyokeres could provide the winger with a new lease of life.

Like Gabriel Jesus, the Swede likes to peel out to the left-hand side and interchange with the wide forward on that side.

Martinelli struggles when thrust out onto the touchline and isolated against a full-back, but thrives when making runs inside and getting into dangerous positions in the box.

Gyokeres’ inclination to peel out to the left-hand channel should therefore theoretically complement Martinelli very well, allowing the former Ituano man to play to his strengths.