‘The perfect stage for him’ – Arteta backs Gyokeres to have starring role at Old Trafford | OneFootball

Old Trafford is the perfect stage for Viktor Gyokeres to show Arsenal supporters and Premier League viewers around the world why he is the man to score the goals that defeat Manchester United and set Mikel Arteta on his way to winning his first league title as a manager.

The Swedish striker is the star signing of Arsenal’s six summer transfers to date and is poised to lead the London side’s attack at a ground where they traditionally struggle to produce their best form.

Arteta, however, cannot think of a better venue than the Theatre of Dreams for Gyokeres to announce himself.

“This is his first Premier League game in this country,” Arteta pointed out of his £64m signing. “I think this is the perfect stage for him to show what he can do for the team and he’s got incredible teammates around him to make sure that he fulfils that.”

Arsenal considered moves for Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko as well as Sporting’s Gyokeres in a move that had been in the planning for many years.

Arteta revealed: “Viktor was on our radar and that of the scouting department for a long time. But the reality as well is that you have to have a place and an available place in the team.

“Now the time has come when he was available and we decided to bring him in and he decided that the best option for him was Arsenal.

“We’ve done the process like we always do, to analyse every single option.  It’s not only about what we like about the player; it’s many aspects that have to come together, and we’re extremely happy that it’s Viktor.”

Arsenal’s transfer team, including impressive new sporting director Andrea Berta, also believe Gyokeres’ experience of playing in England before with Brighton and Coventry will help him make a rapid transition to the demands of Arsenal and the Premier League.

Arteta explained: “I think it helps once you have lived in the country and have an experience and understanding of the culture, the passion, the style of play, the demands that they put on that piece, the intensity, the referees.

“There are a lot of things that are great to experience here. Then he went away to a different league, adapted to that and was very prolific.

“Now you just look at his body language, the way he talks, the way he carries himself. He’s a really confident boy and I’m sure he will be very, very good for us.”

Arteta is aware that Arsenal have not had the best of records away to Manchester United in recent years and the match comes at the start of a challenging run of opening fixtures which includes matches against defending champions Liverpool and old foes Manchester City.

Discussing the importance of starting well, he explained: “That will help for sure and it will create the right atmosphere and  the right confidence around the team.

“There are still 37 matches to play afterwards and that’s a long marathon to play. Let’s go step by step and make sure we do what we have to do at Old Trafford  to earn the right to win the game.”