- Gunners have spent big on another goalscorer
- Yet to open his account for north London outfit
- One more friendly before Premier League bow
The Gunners have finally landed the proven No.9 they have been after for some time. The hope at Emirates Stadium is that Sweden international Gyokeres will prove to be the final piece in a trophy-winning puzzle.
Following his arrival in a big-money transfer agreement with Sporting, Gyokeres has been eased into Arteta’s plans during pre-season friendly dates. He made his full bow for Arsenal when starting a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday.
He is yet to open his goal account for the Gunners, but Arteta told reporters when asked about how Gyokeres is settling in new surroundings: “I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team.
“He’s been with us only a week or so, but I already saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking in certain spaces. So, in general, for a lot of players that haven’t played many minutes, we have a lot now that they’re going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.”
Pressed further on when Gyokeres will be fully up to speed, Arteta added: “I hope days and every day in training I think he’s getting a really good feeling. I think he’s built connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to be in the position that he needs to get in.
“His fitness level, I think he hasn’t trained really with the team for two months, so he’s done now six or five sessions, I think, before today. So, I think on Saturday, again, I think he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.”
Arsenal have one more friendly against Athletic Club on Saturday in the annual Emirates Cup before they travel to Manchester on August 17 for a meeting with old adversaries United.
