Gyokeres replacement sends Arsenal warning | OneFootball

Sporting have already found their Gyokeres replacement, and Luis Suarez’s message before the first leg is clear.

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Luis Suarez has said Sporting CP will face Arsenal “without fear” in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, as the striker prepares to lead the Portuguese side in a tie that they hope will demonstrate how well they have coped since losing Viktor Gyokeres to the Gunners.

When Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting in the summer, they took a forward who had delivered 97 goals and 28 assists in 102 games, leaving his old club with a sizeable gap to fill.

Suarez, signed from Almeria for €22.95m, has since scored 33 goals with seven assists in 42 games for the 10th club of his career.

Set to return to the starting XI after being rested against Santa Clara on Friday, ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Alvalade, the Colombian has made clear he is not daunted by the challenge in front of him.

“We’re not afraid of anyone,” he said. “We respect all our opponents, but we don’t fear any of them.”

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He was then asked about the task of replacing Gyokeres. “For any player to take Viktor’s place is a major challenge – I can even say it’s the most exciting of my career – and I feel I’m responding well,” he said.

The 28-year-old also suggested he is better equipped now for the demands of such occasions, even with the risk that a booking would rule him out of the second leg in London. “I believe I’ve evolved a lot and can stay calmer,” he said.

“When I first arrived in Europe, I wasn’t mentally ready for this kind of challenge. I have the responsibility to show why they brought me here. That’s what drives me the most, because I must repay the club and the fans for their trust.”

Suarez also reflected on Sporting’s massive comeback against Bodø/Glimt, using that tie as evidence of the side’s resilience. “I think ‘epic’ is the right word. We finished happy because we proved that wasn’t the real Sporting [that lost the first leg],” he said.

There was similar confidence from Geny Catamo, who linked the emotions of their win over Bodø/Glimt to the challenge of facing Arsenal.

“My tears said it all,” the winger said of Sporting’s 5-0 win, before adding: “It was an incredible day, not just for Sporting but for everyone.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s meeting with Arsenal, Catamo promised “respect,” but added… “I feel confident!”