He is a special player — Cristiano Ronaldo hails Arsenal new signing

Cristiano Ronaldo has praised Arsenal’s new signing Viktor Gyökeres, calling him a “special player” after the Gunners secured the striker for £64 million from Sporting last month.

Arsenal beat out Manchester United and Juventus for the Swedish star, who forced his move by going on strike.

Gyökeres joins with high expectations, having scored an impressive 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, helping them clinch the Portuguese league and cup double last season.

Ronaldo, who started his career at Sporting before moving to Manchester United in 2003, believes his former club will stay strong despite the loss.

“I hope it’s a competitive league. I always hope for the best and that Sporting can be champions again,” Ronaldo said via Metro.

“We only miss those who are there, that’s what they say. I believe Sporting will be competitive. Gyokeres was a special player, but the team will have to adapt.

"I believe [Luis] Suarez, who arrived from Almeria, is an excellent forward. [Conrad] Harder is also a good player, young, and needs time. I watched the Super Cup, Sporting performed well against Benfica but they didn’t win because they couldn’t, that’s football.”

Arsenal will be hoping their latest recruit leads them to their dream of winning the Premier League title, especially after three consecutive second-place finishes.

The Gunners begin the campaign with a trip to Old Trafford to face Ruben Amorim's Manchester United.