Viktor Gyökeres, Sweden’s Batman-inspired striker eyeing an upset against France | OneFootball

Viktor Gyökeres will be one of Sweden’s main threats against France on Tuesday in New Jersey, the Arsenal forward arriving unbowed and famed for a Batman-style celebration.

From the approach to MetLife Stadium the Manhattan skyline looms, the backdrop for the world created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. According to Le Progres, Gyökeres’s hands-crossed gesture nods to Bane and, speaking two days before the game, the 28-year-old said Sweden believe despite outsider status and must pair near-perfect defensive organisation with clinical finishing.

His Bane tribute became familiar last season as he plundered 54 goals in 52 matches for Sporting Portugal, a surge that put him on the radar of Europe’s elite.

After joining Arsenal in the off-season, he needed time to settle into Mikel Arteta’s plans yet still delivered 21 goals and 3 assists as the Gunners won the English title and reached the Champions League final. In March he drove Sweden’s play-off push, hitting a hat-trick against Ukraine and the goal that sealed qualification against Poland.

There have still been reservations, with Sweden’s attack not yet fully firing in the United States. Gyökeres has been decisive against Tunisia and Japan, and he is set to run into club-mate William Saliba as he embraces the super-villain role against Les Bleus.

It will be for the French to play the heroes in Gotham City.

Source: Le Progres