Viktor Gyokeres Begins Building Arsenal Connections Ahead of Old Trafford Test

The second the player dons the revered red and white jersey for the first time at Emirates Stadium, the weight of expectation is soon to follow. 

For Arsenal's latest £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres that weight landed straight away, with thousands of Gooners descending with one clear desire: that the Swedish striker would be the solution to the trophy riddle of the Gunners.

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It was a pre-season friendly against Villarreal, but the anticipation at the Emirates would not be mistaken.

The fans were eager to catch a glimpse of their marquee summer signing, and the name of Gyokeres was accompanied by the longest roar during the pre-match reading out of the line-up. Only the arrival of prodigious 15-year-old Max Dowman came close to matching the noise.

"I think in his head, and knowing what he has to do, he will be 100% or better," manager Mikel Arteta added as per BBC.

"Because he is so eager and so self-assured that he can do it right away, I have no doubts that he will be in a very good position."

While Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by their La Liga visitors, Christian Norgaard's goal and the captain, Martin Odegaard, giving some hope, all eyes were on Gyokeres.

He played in excess of an hour, showing glimpses of his potential and enthusiasm to mesh with his new teammates. Fitness built up for Sunday, August 17, when Premier League begins at Old Trafford will be invaluable.

After two months with no training since departing Sporting Lisbon, Gyokeres still catches up physically. Another chance to sharpen up arrives on Saturday as Arsenal welcome Athletic Bilbao to their final pre-season match.

"I thought it was important that he started a game and began to feel and connect with the team," Arteta said.

"He's only been here a week or so, but I saw plenty of things and plenty of intent, especially the way he was pressing in some parts."

Arsenal's attacking approach also appeared to be designed to appreciate the fact that they now possess a No. 9, with more purposeful balls into the box and teammates purposefully attempting to play the Swede through.

Gyokeres also flashed a first-half cross, had a wayward effort, and was denied a decent second-half attempt — moments in which the goals must eventually come.

When asked how many days it would take for Gyokeres to settle into rhythm in north London, Arteta smiled and replied: "I hope days. Day by day in training I feel he is getting a really good feeling.

"He is building relationships outside, which is very important with players that are going to help him to find the position that he needs to be in.".

"His fitness, two months he hasn't trained with the team. I believe he is on five sessions prior to today. I believe on Saturday he will take another step and be in a better condition.

The real test for Gyokeres will come in Manchester, where he will be expected to lead the attack against Erik ten Hag's side.

The Gunners faithful will be hoping the flashes of brilliance at the Emirates are the first signs of something special — and that the four-year wait for a trophy that started in 2020 can finally be on its way to an end.

And if optimism is anything to gauge, from Arteta and Gyokeres, then the Gunners might have just found the striker they've been missing.