Credit: IMAGO

Tom Griffin

Sat 16 August 2025 11:06, UK

Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal fans what Viktor Gyokeres said during the pair’s first private phone call.

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Gyokeres joined Arsenal earlier this summer in a deal worth over £60 million, becoming one of the Gunners’ top five most expensive signings.

Despite being chased by a host of other clubs, including Manchester United, Gyokeres always saw Arsenal as the club he wanted to join.

And now Arteta has revealed exactly what the 27-year-old told him…

Image credit: IMAGO

Although transfer talks to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates dragged on for several weeks, Arteta did eventually land his man.

And speaking to Men in Blazers about what Gyokeres told him during their first-ever phone call, Arteta said: “My first phone call with Gyokeres.

He said: ‘Arsenal, that’s my dream!”

“I feel his security, dominance, arrogance to say on the pitch: don’t worry, I will do it.”

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Arsenal fans, who already love Gyokeres, would’ve enjoyed hearing just how passionate he is about playing for them, and it is clear he has the full backing of Arteta.

Featuring in pre-season, Gyokeres is now preparing to make his Premier League debut when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Arteta is almost guaranteed to start his new number 14 and has insisted he has full confidence he can be the main man to lead Arsenal’s attack this season and beyond.

Even though the prospect of facing Man United was an inviting one last season, Arteta will know Ruben Amorim‘s side poses a different threat this term.

The Red Devils, like Arsenal, have reinforced their frontline and will be looking to kick the new 2025-26 Premier League season off with a bang.

For Gyokeres, although the pressure of making your competitive debut at Old Trafford is never, thriving off the spotlight being on him, the Swede will be looking to make an instant impact and show his new rivals exactly why they should’ve done more to sign him.

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