Gyokeres makes SURPRISE shirt number confession after crashing Arsenal website

Viktor Gyokeres made what appeared to be a statement of intent after arriving at Arsenal and instantly taking the No.14 shirt made famous by Thierry Henry.

Brought in to provide the goals that the Gunners have lacked from the centre-forward position in recent years, grabbing the former jersey of the club’s record scorer seemed to be bold move from the striker, who netted more than a goal per game with Sporting CP last summer.

Arsenal’s €63.5 million signing admits that his hand was forced to take up Henry’s mantle.

Speaking to The Athletic, he admitted: “Of course I know the history of the shirt. But, to be honest, there weren’t too many numbers to pick from. But of course, that one was available, so when I knew that it was an easy choice to take it.

“It’s not really my intention to be compared with what he’s achieved in his career, especially here. I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course, he was an amazing player, but different from me.”

Gyokeres’ willingness to take the No.14 has, nevertheless, been greeted warmly by Mikel Arteta, who was keener to build a comparison with Henry.

“I use the word conviction. That’s the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him,” the Arsenal manager told the media.

“Someone very determined, someone that was already really attached to the club the way he was talking about the club, the history and in this case, Thierry and what the shirt represented. He straight away felt it, and when you feel it: go for it.”

Gyokeres sets Arsenal sales record

The Arsenal board are, no doubt, also impressed. Gyokeres’ No.14 jersey has already broken sales records as something of a mania has taken hold of Gooners, who are excited at the prospect of having such a prolific scorer in their ranks and wearing such an iconic number.

Fuelled by the offer of having his name and number printed on a shirt for free, sales of the Swede’s jersey have broken Arsenal records, according to The Athletic, which adds that online demand was so high that it crashed the club’s webstore.

Gyokeres is expected to make his Arsenal debut on Thursday against Tottenham.

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