Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Viktor Gyokeres’ decision to wear Thierry Henry’s famous No14 shirt.
Gyokeres completed his move to Arsenal from Sporting last week, signing for an initial fee of around £55million.
The striker arrives with a phenomenal goalscoring record in Portugal, where he was the top scorer last season after finding the net 39 times in 33 league games.
Gyokeres is determined to be a hit in the Premier League and he has laid down a marker by taking the No14 shirt, which was made famous by the club’s record goalscorer, Henry.
“I think I use the word conviction,” said Arteta. “That’s the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him (Gyokeres).
“Someone very determined, someone that was really already attached to the club, the way he was talking about the club, the history, in this case Thierry, and what the shirt represented. I felt it, so when you feel it, go for it.”
Arsenal have been on the hunt for a new striker since last summer and Gyokeres is under pressure to perform. Arsenal supporters could get their first sight of the player in Arsenal colours on Thursday as the Gunners face Spurs in a pre-season friendly.
Arteta, however, has backed the 27-year-old to handle the weight of expectation on his shoulders at Emirates Stadium.
“When the news broke, and then you realise the magnitude of the club that you’re going to be representing and how viral everything goes so fast in these days, I think his immediate reaction was, wow,” said Arteta.
“And then he sees, you know, the way we were received again yesterday, the training session that we just had with 20,000 people, the stadium that was sold out in two hours, and 50,000 people being in that incredible stadium tomorrow. So, I think you’re going to have a very good first impression, that’s for sure.”
