Viktor Gyökeres has swiftly made his mark on Arsenal, leaving a significant impression on fellow teammate, Mikel Merino. The Gunners’ midfield maestro had anticipated great things from the club’s new £63.5 million Swedish striker, and Gyökeres has lived up to expectations in the early days of his tenure at the North London club.
In manager Mikel Arteta’s ongoing quest for a reliable presence at the forefront of his attack, Gyökeres has emerged as a natural leader. Previously, the team relied on players converted from midfield roles, such as Kai Havertz and Merino himself. Gyökeres’ record of 54 goals in 52 matches in the previous season has set a high bar, and his goal-scoring prowess has already been evident in pre-season outings for Arsenal.
While excelling in Portugal doesn’t necessarily equate to Premier League success, Spanish international Merino has been undeniably impressed with Gyökeres so far, according to reporting by the Mirror. On the pitch, the striker has met the expectation. Beyond the technical aspects, however, it is Gyökeres’ professionalism and rapid adaptation to life at Arsenal that has surprised Merino.
When questioned by TNT Sports about his expectations from the new signing, Merino said, “Hopefully loads of goals! That’s what he does. He’s an amazing striker. He’s strong, quick, and capable of being a constant threat behind the defence. That’s the main thing, both on and off the pitch.”
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