Mikel Arteta Drops Major Hint on Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal Debut as Star 'Looks Good'

Mikel Arteta cautioned that he won't "hold back" Viktor Gyökeres from featuring for Arsenal once he reaches full fitness.

Gyökeres is clearly eager to get started. "Being part of this club and finding the net in this jersey with this crest before all these fans, I'm incredibly excited," Arsenal's newest addition enthusiastically shared with his new team. "It's going to be an incredible experience."

The 27-year-old joined in a transfer valued at up to a reported £63.8 million ($85.8 million) on Saturday following a complex series of talks with Sporting CP. The Portuguese club's president allegedly backed out of an informal understanding that would have permitted Gyökeres to depart for a lower price, making his final period in Lisbon filled with conflict.

Throughout this impasse, Gyökeres declined to rejoin first-team practice sessions. This determined position has affected him both monetarily and in terms of conditioning.

"I believe he hasn't participated in a single team training session since the final match with Sporting when they claimed the title," Arteta observed when questioned about Gyökeres being ready for an unofficial Arsenal appearance. "We'll evaluate him tomorrow, he's completed all medical examinations, everything looks positive but getting him to the proper fitness standards I believe is crucial.

"We won't hold him back, we want him alongside us as quickly as we can but we need to evaluate and the medical staff will handle that."

Following an exciting 3–2 win over Newcastle United in Singapore, Arsenal will meet north London opponents Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday in Hong Kong for the inaugural staging of this rivalry outside England. The Gunners wrap up pre-season with two home matches at the Emirates Stadium against Spanish teams—Villarreal (Aug. 6) and Athletic Club (Aug. 9)—before launching their Premier League title campaign with a visit to Manchester United's Old Trafford.

Gyökeres notably flourished at Sporting under the guidance of current United manager Ruben Amorim. There were rumors of a last-minute intervention from the Red Devils but the Swedish striker preferred Arsenal.

Arteta characterized the procedure for obtaining Gyökeres's services as "very, very unique". "I believe the club has performed exceptionally well," he added. "Andrea [Berta, sporting director] and his staff, they've been absolutely outstanding. So early in the transfer window, we already secured the additions we desired."