Viktor Gyokeres receives new Arsenal verdict as transfer target opens up

Arsenal find themselves in a favourable position to begin the Premier League season, despite pressure mounting on head coach Mikel Arteta.

The Spanish manager has consistently improved the north London side, most recently guiding them to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009. They've built on this success by addressing last season's main issues - injuries and squad depth - executing arguably the club's most successful summer transfer window to date with the acquisition of eight new players.

Early indications this season suggest that Arsenal are a team to be reckoned with, with many pundits tipping them as strong contenders for both the Premier League and Champions League titles.

• Arsenal confirm huge Josh Kroenke shake-up as trusted ally leaves in shock decision
• Former Arsenal ace’s explanation for early retirement could resonate with Raheem Sterling at Chelsea

Sunday afternoon's showdown with Manchester City at the Emirates presents an ideal opportunity to assert their ambitions, with a win keeping the pressure on reigning champions Liverpool. football.london brings you three of the biggest stories involving the Gunners ahead of this mouth-watering clash.

'Fans didn't want Gyokeres'

Ex-Arsenal and Manchester City defender Gael Clichy has hinted that the Gunners' supporters might have preferred Alexander Isak over Viktor Gyokeres as their summer signing. Despite previous links to Isak, who eventually moved to Liverpool for a record-breaking British transfer fee, Arteta and Andrea Berta concluded their lengthy striker hunt by securing Gyokeres for £64m.

Gyokeres' initial performances at the Emirates have been a mixed bag. Although he's netted three times in four Premier League appearances, his overall involvement in games and build-up play have left something to be desired.

Speaking to BetMGM, Clichy said: "Is he the player that the Arsenal fans wanted? I don't think so. We saw Alexander Isak get linked with Arsenal and I think every team in Europe would have wanted him - but Gyökeres did have a very good record in Portugal and you have to give him credit for that."

However, the former Invincible isn't writing off the No. 14 just yet, pointing out that he brings a unique element to Arteta's revamped attack. He added: "He's not a typical Arsenal player in that he's pretty old-school in what he does, but that is also something they didn't have before.

"It looks to me as if Arteta wants his wide players like [Eberechi] Eze and [Bukayo] Saka to isolate the opposition full-backs and put the ball in the box.

"If the wingers can do this, you’d imagine opponents will need to double up on them and that leaves more space for the likes of Gyökeres. I don’t doubt he’ll get chances and he’ll score goals, but how quickly he adapts to the Premier League is the big question."

Rodrygo opens up about summer rumours

In a candid revelation, Brazilian ace Rodrygo has dismissed the idea that he was ever looking to leave Real Madrid in the recent transfer window, even amidst strong links to a move. The 24-year-old's role seemed uncertain when Xabi Alonso took the helm at Los Blancos, with Rodrygo seeing limited action during the Club World Cup.

Speculation was rife that Rodrygo's patience was wearing thin, and reports indicated that Arsenal, as well as rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, were keeping a keen eye on developments, ready to pounce should the opportunity arise. However, no transfer came to fruition, and Arsenal went on to secure the signatures of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke instead.

"I'm used to it; every year they say I'm leaving. During the transfer window, every week I was on a different team," he told Mundo Deportivo. "I even joked with my parents and friends: 'Look, today I'm on this one, tomorrow I'm on that one.' Every week I was on a different team, but, as I said, I was very calm mentally and it didn't affect me at all.

"I continued enjoying my vacation, training because I knew this was where I would continue. Well, in the end, I'm still at home, in the place I always dreamed of being. I'll continue giving my all every day I wear this shirt."

Arsenal set sights on Barcelona-linked prodigy

Arsenal are reportedly gearing up for a tussle with Barcelona over 19-year-old Palmeiras left-back Luiz Benedetti as the 2026 winter transfer window approaches.

Mundo Deportivo reports that the young Brazilian is attracting attention from both the Catalans and the Gunners, with Serie A title-holders Napoli also in the mix.

This interest comes despite Arteta already boasting a wealth of talent on the left side of defence, including Italian star Riccardo Calafiori, England's own Myles Lewis-Skelly, and the recent £45million acquisition Piero Hincapie.