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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Sam Tabuteau

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Viktor Gyokeres plan for potential debut in north London derby against Tottenham

Viktor Gyokeres has joined up with the Arsenal squad in Asia - (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal will assess Viktor Gyokeres before deciding whether to hand him a debut against Tottenham.

Gyokeres completed his £63.5million move to Arsenal over the weekend, with the Swedish striker in attendance for the Gunners' 3-2 win over Newcastle on Sunday.

Arteta is keen to get the 27-year-old involved as quickly as possible, but is also mindful of the fact that he hasn't trained since the end of last season.

Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting CP last season, faced disciplinary action for failing to report back for pre-season training to force through a move to Arsenal.

"Well, I think he hasn’t had a single training session with the team since the last game with Sporting when they became champions," Arteta said.

"So we will assess him tomorrow, he's done all the medicals, everything is looking good, but to get him up to speed with the right levels of fitness, I think is very important.

"So we're not going to stop him, we want him with us as quick as possible, but we'll have to assess, and the medical team will do that."

Arsenal unveiled Viktor Gyokeres over the weekend (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Gyokeres, who signed a five-year contract, is the latest arrival at Arsenal this summer, with the club having already bought in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.

Kepa, Zubimendi and Norgaard have all made their debuts during Arsenal's pre-season tour, while Noni Madueke will join up with the squad when they return to London after enjoying an extended break following the Club World Cup.

Gyokeres and Mosquera are with the team, but didn't make the matchday squad for their win over Newcastle on Sunday.

The pair could make their debuts against Tottenham in Hong Kong as Arsenal look to round off their tour of Asia with a third win in three games.

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