Arsenal defender Gabriel speaks out on Viktor Gyokeres as Sporting CP striker closes in on blockbuster transfer to Emirates Stadium

Gabriel sat down with The Athletic for a wide-ranging interview ahead of the new season. The conversation inevitably turned to the Brazilian defender's thoughts on the Gunners' efforts to secure Gyokeres' services. Referencing the Champions League league phase clash between Sporting CP and Arsenal in the 2024-25 season, Gabriel said playing against Gyokeres was a "big challenge". Gabriel scored during Arsenal's 5-1 win, mimicking Gyokeres' trademark mask celebration.

Sporting and Arsenal are still negotiating the minutiae of the transfer, with the latest reports suggesting the two clubs remain at an impasse over the terms of additional fees in a deal of around £69m ($92.5m). Gabriel has welcomed the prospect of Gyokeres' arrival, though, and says he and his Arsenal team-mates want the club to recruit the best players, as they hope to follow three straight seasons in second place with their first Premier League crown in 21 years.

When asked about Arsenal's transfer activity, with summer deals for Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa and Noni Madueke having already been closed, Gabriel said: "At a club like Arsenal, of course what we want is to have the best players.

“We want to fight for trophies, so we need to have the best. When players arrive, the advice I give them is to focus and try to adapt as quickly as possible, because we’re already working really hard. So I believe they’re already quite in sync with us, and I believe this year we can achieve great things.”

On Gyokeres, he added: “For sure, when we played against him, it was a big challenge for us. What we know now is that he’s a great player, who definitely had a great season last year.”

Gabriel and his Arsenal team-mates are heading to Asia for a pre-season tour. The club likely would have hoped Gyokeres could have joined that trip, but the protracted transfer saga has been causing headaches for all parties. The player's father is said to be distraught over the whole affair, while the 27-year-old has reportedly moved out of his luxury Lisbon abode, despite the lack of progress in recent days.