Gyokeres: Arsenal’s Prolific No. 9 Finding His Footing

Viktor Gyokeres made a significant move to north London during the summer of 2025, joining Arsenal in a transfer deal valued at an initial €55 million (£47 million/$65 million). The transfer came about after an exit clause in his contract with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon was activated, leading many to believe that Arsenal had secured a remarkable bargain.

Gyokeres, who had been a prolific scorer in Lisbon, brings with him valuable experience from his time in British football, having played for Brighton, Swansea, and Coventry. Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal appears to have finally found the formidable No. 9 they have long sought.

Though Gyokeres has encountered a challenging start under the intense spotlight of the Premier League, he has managed to unveil his signature goal celebration—creating a face mask with his hands—on 11 occasions across all competitions.

In an interview with CBS Sports’ Golazo Network, Gyokeres explained the origin of his Bane-inspired celebration, stating, “I was with my friends, and they were encouraging me to adopt a unique celebration. After some brainstorming, we came up with the one I use now. It has been enjoyable, and I think it resonates well. I’m not sure if I called it Bane, but it certainly can be interpreted that way.”

In a social media post from June 2024, Gyokeres referenced his celebration, quoting Bane’s famous line from ‘The Dark Knight Rises’: “Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask.”

As a striker, Gyokeres has become accustomed to finding the back of the net. When asked about his ideal goal, he mentioned that it varies based on recent performances but that even a simple tap-in brings him immense joy.

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Looking ahead, the Swedish forward is eager to continue scoring for Arsenal. Despite a somewhat slow start, reminiscent of his initial period at Sporting, where he netted twice in his first four matches before an impressive tally of 95 goals in 98 appearances, Gyokeres remains optimistic about his role at the club.

Reflecting on his experience at the Emirates, Gyokeres stated, “I’ve enjoyed it since I arrived. While there have been challenges, I have focused on improving and learning as much as possible within the team and the club. It’s crucial for me to adapt and embrace the unique style of play here, just as I had to in Portugal. Winning games and performing as a cohesive unit remains my top priority, and I am determined to contribute significantly.”

In Arsenal’s latest match, Gyokeres scored as they defeated Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road. This victory has allowed Arteta’s side to establish a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Furthermore, they have advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League with an unblemished record through eight games, reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, and are poised to face Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, leading 3-2 on aggregate.