Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal 2025Getty

'It will be different' - Mikel Arteta certain Viktor Gyokeres will improve after Swedish striker makes underwhelming Arsenal debut in defeat to Tottenham

  • Gyokeres made Gunners debut in Hong Kong
  • 77th minute cameo off the bench
  • Arteta defended the striker after loss
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Gyokeres came on for a brief cameo in the 77th minute as Arsenal lost 1-0 to their bitter north London rivals in Hong Kong. Pape Sarr scored the winner from near the half-way line but Gyokeres had just two touches on his debut for his new side, reported Sky Sports.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Gyokeres signed for Arsenal in a £63.5 million ($84m) deal after a long-winded transfer saga which involved a major stand-off between the Sweden international and former club Sporting CP. Arteta finally got his man and will look forward to the new season with one of Europe's most prolific strikers leading the line. His debut may not have been ideal, but the best is surely still to come.

  • WHAT ARTETA SAID

    Arteta said in his post-match press conference: "Really happy obviously to have [debutants Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera] here, I think they're going to have a lot of value. You see this right away, as well as the energy and the quality that they're going to bring. It was a short one but at least that one is off now and when they play against Villarreal now, I'm sure it will be a bit different."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR GYOKERES AND ARSENAL?

    Arsenal's Premier League season kicks off with a trip to Manchester United on August 17, where Gyokeres will hope to make more of a lasting impression than he did on his pre-season bow. The Gunners have two friendlies remaining against Villarreal and Athletic Club to get more minutes in their legs before then.