Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed hope that new signing Viktor Gyokeres can be a transformative addition to the squad.
The 27-year-old Sweden international was unveiled at Singapore’s National Stadium on Sunday, just prior to Arsenal’s 3–2 preseason victory over Newcastle United. Gyokeres becomes the club’s sixth signing of the summer and arrives amid long-standing calls from supporters for a clinical forward to boost their Premier League title credentials.
“I hope so,” Arteta said when asked whether Gyokeres could take the team to the next level. “We’ve brought in a few players this window to create that excitement, that competition, both internally and externally. We want our supporters to really believe in what this team can deliver.”
Gyokeres joins after a prolific season in Portugal, where he helped lead Sporting CP to the Primeira Liga title. Though already integrated into Arsenal’s tour in Asia, Arteta cautioned that the striker may need additional time before making his first appearance.
“He hasn’t had a single training session with the team since the last game with Sporting,” Arteta said. “He’s completed all the medicals and everything looks good, but getting him to the right fitness levels is important. We want him with us as quickly as possible, but we’ll follow the advice of the medical team.”
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are also monitoring Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, although no formal bid has been submitted. Arteta did not rule out further activity in the transfer window.
“Let’s see. The market is still ongoing,” he said. “We’ll need to balance things with the squad, but we remain open to possibilities.”
The match itself offered an entertaining contest, settled late by an 85th-minute Martin Odegaard penalty. The spot kick was won by 15-year-old Max Dowman, who impressed during a late cameo with a confident run into the penalty area before being brought down by Joelinton.
“What he’s done today against this level of opposition, in the limited minutes he had, is not something you see very often at that age,” said Arteta. “The environment around him – his family, the club, the academy – deserves credit for putting him in a position to succeed.”
Earlier, Newcastle took the lead through Anthony Elanga inside six minutes before Mikel Merino’s finish and an Alex Murphy own goal swung momentum Arsenal’s way. Jacob Murphy later equalized for Newcastle, setting the stage for Dowman’s decisive intervention.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, meanwhile, confirmed that striker Alexander Isak will not feature in the remainder of the club’s Asia tour. The Swedish international has informed the club of his desire to leave, with Liverpool currently regarded as frontrunners for his signature.
