Mikel Merino Reveals Viktor Gyökeres Surprise Ahead of the Season Opener

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·17 August 2025

Mikel Merino Reveals Viktor Gyökeres Surprise Ahead of the Season Opener

The arrival of Viktor Gyökeres has been the talk of the summer for Arsenal, and Mikel Merino has given his verdict on the Sweden international, also revealing what has surprised him the most about the striker. Arsenal addressed a longstanding issue by signing the Sporting forward this summer, much to the delight of the fanbase. Supporters have been clamouring for an elite number nine for a substantial period of time, an anticipation that finally reached its climax when the Gunners agreed a deal to bring him in. Many have already had a glimpse of the forward in action during pre-season, where he impressed in his most recent appearance.

Merino Backs Gyökeres To Deliver

Speaking of his new teammate, Mikel Merino has backed him to score “loads” of goals and revealed he is surprised by how well he has settled in. Quizzed on what he expects from the striker, he told TNT Sports via Mirror: “Hopefully loads of goals! That’s what he does. He’s an amazing striker. He’s strong, quick, he can threaten in the back of the line as well so that’s the main thing in terms of off the pitch. But I’m more surprised about off-the-pitch stuff. He’s a professional guy, really humble and he’s already adapting and ready to learn. He’s always with his eyes open so those are good qualities for a striker to have.”

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Merino also recognised the need for both the player and the club to adapt, but is confident the Swede will play a big role this campaign. He added: “With every player in the squad, you have to adapt to the principles that the team already has and, at the same time, us as players have to adapt to the team-mate and the qualities and the capacities they have.

“Obviously, Viktor, being such a good striker with his own tools, he’s going to be a massive player for us so we’ll have to adapt to his qualities, try to find him in the right spots.

“And also for him, he’ll have to adapt to our values, to our principles and I’m sure it’s going to be a good relationship there.”

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Expectations For The Debut

Arsenal’s new number 14 will get his first taste of competitive action in an Arsenal shirt on Sunday. The Gunners face Manchester United in the opening weekend’s most high-profile clash, and the Swede is in line to make his debut. His arrival has come with high expectation, and it will be up to him to manage that pressure, hopefully proving to be a success in his debut campaign.

The Premier League will be a significant step up from the Portuguese top flight, and Arsenal fans will be hoping he undergoes a seamless transition.

What do you think Gooners, will Viktor Gyökeres live up to the hype in his first season at Arsenal? I guess we’ll find out against Manchester United this afternoon!

COYG!

Benjamin Kenneth

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