According to Corriero da Manha, Mikel Arteta is now pushing to get Viktor Gyokeres at the club as he wants the Swedish striker as part of their pre-season tour of Asia. The Gunners boss wants to get the striker up to speed ahead of the season opener against Manchester United as well as some tough fixtures at the start of the campaign.
Arsenal’s search for a striker rumbled on, as there’s no clarity on their preference between Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. The fans have been led to believe that sporting director Andrea Berta has been negotiating for both the forwards, but only one of those is likely to arrive at the Emirates for next season.
Fresh reports have indicated that Sesko’s wage demands could scupper a move, and this placing Gyokeres as a leading contender. Whether that is the case remains to be seen, as the Swede is certainly high on Berta and Mikel Arteta’s list of priority targets.
Gyokeres has told friends and family that he expects to join Arsenal as per a recent report, and right now, he might be their top target. There’s an ongoing issue in the background between the striker, his agent and Sporting CP over claims that the Portuguese side dishonoured a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ they had with the Swedish star.
Gyokeres is reportedly dreaming of joining the Gunners, as some reports did state he has turned down Manchester United in the process. Whether the 27-year-old goal machine is the right answer for the Gunners remains to be seen, although he can certainly improve their fortunes in front of the goal.
Mikel Arteta wants Viktor Gyokeres for pre-season tour
Arteta is seemingly ready to ramp up the pressure on Berta to get Gyokeres at the earliest, as the manager wants to bring the striker along for the pre-season tour of Asia. The idea is to run the rule over the striker during some high-profile friendlies in Asia, which could help Arteta gauge the striker’s qualities better.
There are also some difficult fixtures at the start of their Premier League season. Arsenal faces Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United in their first six games of the campaign, as new additions, particularly a leading front man would aid their cause.
