Viktor Gyokeres was introduced to Arsenal supporters in Singapore ahead of a friendly match against Newcastle United. While his appearance was brief, there remains a real chance the Swedish striker will make his debut soon. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated, “We’re going to assess tonight how he is and if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate in tomorrow’s match, then it’s a possibility. We’re going to discuss that tonight.”

Arteta also confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori will likely miss the match as they continue rehabilitation from injuries. Gyokeres joined Arsenal on a five-year deal this summer following a drawn-out transfer from Sporting CP. The 27-year-old was recruited to address Arsenal’s attacking issues, particularly in the striker role.

Gyokeres’ credentials include an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances over two seasons in Portugal, drawing interest across European clubs. Arsenal fans are keen to see him in action, especially during the upcoming high-stakes clash with Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong. Arteta, however, indicated that any playing time for Gyokeres will be cautiously managed, similar to the careful reintegration of Kai Havertz after his long-term injury.

After their Asia tour, Arsenal have two further pre-season friendlies lined up against Villarreal and Athletic Club. These games may provide Gyokeres with more significant minutes on the pitch. The manager’s priority is ensuring the new striker is fully fit and prepared for Arsenal’s challenging start to the Premier League campaign.

The Gunners open the season away at Manchester United, where Gyokeres is poised to face his former Sporting boss, Ruben Amorim, adding an intriguing narrative to the fixture.

Arsenal have been informed by Crystal Palace that they must pay more than half of Eberechi Eze’s £67.5 million release clause upfront to secure his transfer. Despite already committing up to £205 million on six new signings including Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal continue to seek further attacking reinforcements.

Eze’s release clause includes a guaranteed £60 million portion, with the remainder dependent on add-ons. Palace are reportedly open to structured payments for the remaining amount but insist on receiving £35 million immediately. The balance can be paid in installments, with additional fees potentially paid later.

Personal terms do not appear to pose an obstacle after a positive meeting with Eze’s representatives in June. However, Arsenal must act swiftly as the release clause offer expires with the start of the new Premier League season on August 15.

For Eze, aged 27, a move to Arsenal would represent a full-circle moment, returning to the club where he spent time in the academy before being released 14 years ago. His career was precarious after spells at Fulham, Reading, and a release from Millwall at 18, but a successful trial at Queens Park Rangers granted him his first professional contract. QPR remains entitled to 15% of any profit made by Crystal Palace from his sale.

Arsenal are witnessing an unprecedented surge in shirt sales bearing the name of new signing Viktor Gyökeres, even before the striker has made his on-field debut. The club promptly assigned him Thierry Henry’s iconic No. 14 shirt, amplifying the hype around his arrival.

To further attract fans, Arsenal’s official store and online outlet offered complimentary printing of Gyökeres’s name and number on any jersey purchase. Typically, printing costs £16 ($21.40), making this an appealing offer that likely boosted sales significantly.

While specific sales figures have not been disclosed, The Athletic has reported that demand for Gyökeres-printed shirts has surpassed that of any recent Arsenal signing. This heightened interest is understandable given the Swede’s prolific scoring record—97 goals in two seasons for Sporting, coupled with a near-European Golden Shoe achievement last season from a less prominent league.

Arsenal’s decision to allocate the famous No. 14 jersey to Gyökeres follows a trend of attaching significance to key numbers, linking the present with club legends. Notably, this marks the club’s most notable pursuit of a prolific striker since the £56 million acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018.

This strong commercial response indicates high expectations among Arsenal supporters for Gyökeres’s impact in the 2025/26 Premier League season.