Arsenal Legend Ramps Up Pressure on Viktor Gyokeres Over Iconic No.14 Shirt - ‘Please Honour It’

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres finally got a chance to speak to the man whose shirt number he opted to take when he joined the Gunners this summer.

Gyokeres wears the No.14 shirt which was worn by legendary forward Thierry Henry, who is Arsenal’s all-time top scorer, and has at times looked to be feeling the weight of the jersey.

However, on Tuesday, he showed his qualities with two poacher’s goals as Mikel Arteta’s team thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates Stadium.

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The Swedish striker netted an incredible 54 goals in 52 games for Portuguese champions Sporting CP last season but has been slow off the blocks at Arsenal, managing five in 12 outings so far, but believes a lot more is on the way.

“We want to win trophies and I want to contribute with goals and to improve my game in terms of playing also,” Gyokeres said on CBS Sports when talking to Henry after the game. “League and Champions League sounds alright for me.”

The striker was asked why he chose the legendary shirt and if he is feeling the pressure of following in Henry’s footsteps after the French forward scored an incredible 226 goals in 370 games during his eight years with the Gunners.

“It feels great and there are a lot of goals in that shirt and a lot of goals to come,” Gyokeres promised. “There were not many shirt numbers available [when he signed] and when I saw that shirt [No.14] available, of course it was a big honour.”

He went on: “Unfortunately, I did not have Thierry’s number so I can ask him if it was okay but I took it and it is a big honour to me.”

Henry then weighed in, giving Gyokeres his blessings, but reminding him of the pressure that comes with wearing it.

“No.14 is not my number, it is a number I used,” added Henry. “You can have it, please honour it. Score goals [because] that is all we need,” the former Barcelona and Juventus forward further said.

Arsenal have been in scintillating form, winning their last six games in all competitions, while they are unbeaten in nine, a period in which they have won eight and drawn one.

Against Atletico, a goalless first half gave way to a dominant second for the Gunners when Gabriel headed in Declan Rice’s free-kick in the 57th minute before Gabriel Martinelli slotted home the second after 64 minutes with Gyokeres scoring twice in a space of three minutes in the 67th and 70th minutes.