Following Thierry Henry and taking Arsenal's No. 14 jersey was an 'easy pick' says new Gunners signing Viktor Gyokeres - 'An honour to wear it'
By Tom Masters
Updated 31/07/2025 at 09:22 GMT+1
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New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres said it was an "easy pick" to select the famous No. 14 jersey, following in the footsteps of Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry. Gyokeres joined Mikel Arteta's Arsenal from Sporting CP to finally end his long transfer saga following two sensational years in Portugal, in which he scored 97 goals in 102 matches.
‘It’s been a lot’ – Gyokeres on adjusting to life at Arsenal and ‘honour’ of wearing iconic number
Video credit: CNN
New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres said it was an "easy pick" to select the famous No. 14 jersey and follow in the footsteps of club legend Thierry Henry.
Gyokeres finally completed his move to north London after months of speculation about where the Swedish forward would end up.
He comes to the Premier League with a big reputation after a sensational two years at Sporting CP, where he scored 97 goals in 102 appearances.
He is now in line to make his Arsenal debut against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on Thursday, as The Gunners build up to their opening league fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 17.
In choosing the No. 14 jersey, comparisons with Henry - the French great who scored 228 goals for Arsenal - are inevitable, but the Swede insists it is the number for him.
Speaking to CNN, he said: "I know a lot of great players have had (that number) and there’s a big history behind it. It’s an honour to wear it. It was an easy pick."
"I’ve been waiting for a long time, so it’s nice to finally get going and train with the team. Everyone is very helpful. I think it’s very easy to (integrate) into the group."
Having a goalscorer as prolific as Gyokeres with that shirt number is something that Arsenal fans around the world have also picked up on.
Shirt sales of the Swede have already overtaken Arsenal fan favourites Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice over recent weeks, and The Athletic are reporting those numbers will keep rising throughout this season.
That again could put a lot of pressure on any player’s shoulders, but Gyokeres made it clear he is just happy to be at the north London club.
"There’s a lot of people happy with me here, so I just want to give it back on the pitch. I think it’s time for that," he added.
"It’s been a lot, the last few days. Straight into it. It’s been great, but a lot at the same time. It’s an amazing feeling to be here.
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"Of course, there’s pressure from the outside, but it comes down to how much pressure you put on yourself and try as much as possible when you’re on the pitch."
Arsenal struggled at times last season for goals, with Kai Havertz and Saka injured for large parts of the season, leading to midfielder Mikel Merino acting as a stand-in centre forward.
That saw their Premier League title race peter out, though they did reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2009, losing to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Gyokeres has been brought in to fill that void and, like any good No. 9, that is exactly what he wants to do every time he steps onto the field.
"I always want to score goals, but I think it’s more important to just help the team with my qualities," he said. "Try to win as much as possible in the games we play, and take it from there."
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Viktor Gyokeres is ready to handle the pressure that comes with wearing the No. 14 shirt at Arsenal.
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has been active in this transfer window, with Gyokeres following Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga to The Emirates for next season.
Those signings have added to the expectations of Arsenal to be right in the Premier League title race next season and Arteta believes Gyokeres is perfectly ready to handle that pressure.
"When I explained to him what I wanted, the context, the external demands he would feel – he said, ‘I’m ready for it and looking forward to it.’
"That’s the way to handle [the pressure]. Those expectations are there for a reason. People believe in him, in the team and our quality to deliver what we want. And what we want is to win.
"There is always pressure, whether it’s to win the Champions League or to avoid relegation."
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