Viktor Gyokeres has finally arrived at Arsenal and is settling into Mikel Arteta’s squad quickly.
The Gunners opted to pursue the Swede after engaging in intense discussions with RB Leipzig for Benjamin Sesko this summer.
After protracted negotiations with Sporting CP, Arsenal finally signed Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £63 million with add-ons.
The prolific number nine is already taking part in the North Londoners’ pre-season preparations, training with Arteta’s ensemble in Hong Kong.
Viktor Gyokeres appears to have made friends with Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi also signed for Arsenal this summer, joining Arteta’s ranks as the other marquee addition alongside Gyokeres.
The Spaniard and the former Coventry City man are the two Gunners acquisitions who are expected to immediately fulfil roles in the starting eleven at the Emirates, and thus, it’s crucial they build a rapport early on.
In Arsenal’s open training session at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Wednesday, there were positive indications that the pair have already begun forging a connection.
In the footage released from the open session, there are a few moments in which Zubimendi and Gyokeres are privately speaking to each other and laughing, with one specific instance involving a member of the coaching staff towards the end of the video standing out.
Arteta will be encouraged to see the two big-money signings seamlessly integrating into the squad off the pitch, and will hope that this translates on the pitch.
Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres could form a lethal partnership
Arsenal beat Newcastle 3-2 on Sunday, in a game that revealed an interesting and noteworthy tactical tweak from Arteta.
The Gunners were visibly more willing to play direct passes into Kai Havertz, particularly in moments of transition or after winning the ball high up the pitch.
If Arteta insists with this ploy, it could unlock a deadly partnership between Zubimendi and Gyokeres.
The former is exceptional at fizzing quick balls into the feet of forward players, or quickly looking to release attackers with flighted balls over the top.
Meanwhile, the latter’s greatest attribute is making relentless runs in behind and exploiting spaces left in unsettled defences.
Combine these facets of each player’s game, and Arsenal could get a lot of joy from this tactical innovation, just from this combination alone.
These are very exciting and promising times for the Gunners.
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