Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has described incoming striker Viktor Gyokeres as “the missing piece of the jigsaw”, as Mikel Arteta looks to finally get a deal for the striker over the line in the coming days.
The Gunners have long-awaited a star striker to bolster their squad.
Arsenal signed Kai Havertz two years ago, and the German has played as a No 9 with varying degrees of success.
While the 26-year-old has never been an out-and-out goalscorer, he is a clear favourite of boss Arteta, who has consistently praised the German international’s ability to follow strict instructions from the dugout.
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|Kai Havertz has scored 29 goals during his two seasons at the Emirates
Before Havertz, Gabriel Jesus was the Gunners’ most recent striker signing, leaving Arteta’s old employers, Manchester City, in 2022.
The Brazilian hasn’t reached the heights that had been expected since moving from the Etihad, and has faced consistent injury problems.
Injuries have plagued Arteta’s side in general, particularly last season when the Spanish manager was blasted for failing to enter the market for a striker in January.
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PA | Viktor Gyokeres is expected to complete his move to Arsenal in the coming days
The lack of transfer activity was then followed by the injuries of both Jesus and Havertz, leaving the club scrambling during the crucial moments in the season.
Supporters cited Arsenal’s lacklustre title challenge to the striker shortage at the club, but that seems to have changed now with the imminent arrival of prolific goalscorer Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon.
Speaking to NetBet Sport, Parlour explained his belief that the signing of Gyokeres could be the “missing piece” for a successful title charge this time around.
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He said: “The news on Arsenal signing Gyokores is massive; Arsenal have signed well, but signing a No9 in Gyokores can be the missing piece of the jigsaw to get Arsenal over the line for the title.
“He still has to prove himself in the Premier League as the Portuguese League is different, but this will give the whole club and fanbase a huge lift, and excitement will build ahead of the new season.
“We’ve been missing and out-an-out No9 and now they signed one, it can be the missing link that Arsenal have been waiting for.”
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GETTY | Arsenal icon Ray Parlour believes Viktor Gyokeres could be the 'missing piece' for a successful title charge, which would be their first title since 2004
The Swedish international’s recent goal record rivals any top striker in Europe: 97 goals in 102 games in the Portuguese capital, including an astonishing 54 this season alone.
Gyokeres scored 39 league goals this campaign, narrowly missing out on the European Golden Shoe to Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe despite scoring eight more goals, due to the points system meaning goals in Portugal are weighted less.
The deal is said to be worth £55million up front, with an additional £7.5m in achievable bonuses. If the striker can replicate any sort of the form he had in Portugal, that figure will go down as a steal.
He will join Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga through the door at the Emirates, as the Gunners’ summer spending looks set to eclipse £175m.
With Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all spending significant figures to bolster their squads, Arsenal will hope that Gyokeres will be the man to make the key difference in making up the ground to Arne Slot’s title holders.