Viktor Gyokeres has joined an exclusive club at Arsenal without even kicking a ball, fans should be excited

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Viktor Gyokeres is a Gunner, as Arsenal unveiled their new striker ahead of the 2025/26 season.

After a lengthy process, Gyokeres was unveiled by Andrea Berta as Mikel Arteta’s latest signing. 

The striker brings with him one of the finest goalscoring records in Europe, having netted 97 domestic goals since the 2023/24 season kicked off.

Gyokeres broke his silence after becoming an Arsenal player, with his desire to achieve made known simply by the squad number he demanded. 

• READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres reveals who he’s ‘most looking forward’ to combining with at Arsenal

Viktor Gyokeres joins an exclusive club at Arsenal 

Once the deal was done, there was one thing on the 27-year-old’s mind.

Gyokeres had no fear in choosing the number 14, making it clear that he wants to follow in the legacy of Arsenal’s record goalscorer. 

Thierry Henry brought the magic to the squad number with his 228 goals for Arsenal, something Gyokeres now wants to replicate. 

By selecting the squad number, previously worn by Eddie Nketiah, Gyokeres joined an exclusive club at Arsenal.

For only the third time, a player signed by Arsenal in the Premier League era immediately took the number 14, with those before Gyokeres being Henry and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 

There’s no doubt that the former Sporting CP star will be hungry to follow in the footsteps of the duo, who, between them, scored 320 goals in red and white.

At Arsenal, the number 14 will always carry huge expectations, demands that Gyokeres will be desperate to fulfil as the Gunners’ new deadly striker.  

Why did Thierry Henry wear the number 14?

Just like Gyokeres, Aubameyang chose the number 14 because of Henry, something that Marcus Rashford has just done upon signing for Barcelona.

The number carries the meaning it does because of the Arsenal legend, but the reason why Henry chose it is far less exciting. 

Speaking to Cesc Fabregas on an Instagram live for Puma Football in 2020, as transcribed by the Metro, Henry revealed exactly why he chose the number 14 at Arsenal. 

“14 is not my number. I took the number 14 at Arsenal because Christopher Wreh had number 12, so I didn’t want to take it off him.”

Henry had his heart set on number 12, which he wore for France and, wore for Arsenal on his return to the club on loan.

Ironically, the Frenchman created a legacy from the shirt number that was never his preference, a number that is immortal as it is cast in bronze outside the Emirates.