Will Viktor Gyökeres Be the No. 14 Who Finally Fires Arsenal to Premier League Glory?

After months of speculation and a transfer saga that stretched deep into the summer, Arsenal have officially signed Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyökeres. The deal is reported to be worth €73.5 million ($87 million), with delays caused by negotiations over performance-related add-ons.

Mikel Arteta, having long sought a clinical forward to lead the line, now has his man. Even more intriguing for Arsenal fans is the news that Gyökeres is set to wear the iconic No. 14 shirt—once famously worn by Thierry Henry.

Gyökeres Brings Form and Flair to North London

The 26-year-old Swedish international arrives with incredible stats, having scored 54 goals in 52 games last season. In total, he netted 97 times in 102 appearances for Sporting CP. Mikel Arteta has expressed his eagerness to integrate Gyökeres immediately, confirming he wants him on Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Asia.

“Obviously once we have finalised everything with a player we want to integrate him with the team as quickly as possible,” Arteta told reporters.

The No. 14 Shirt: A Legacy to Live Up To

Since the departure of Thierry Henry in 2007, several notable names have donned the No. 14 shirt at Arsenal. Each carried the weight of expectation. Now, Gyökeres joins that exclusive club. Here’s how others have fared before him:

Theo Walcott: A Decade in the Shirt

After Henry’s exit, Arsenal left the shirt vacant for a year. In 2008, then 16-year-old Theo Walcott was handed the number following a breakout season. Walcott wore the shirt for nearly a decade, even when Henry briefly returned in 2012.

Though he never reached Henry’s elite level, Walcott had a successful career at Arsenal, scoring 108 goals and registering 70 assists across all competitions.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: A Captain and Cup Hero

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January 2018 and reluctantly took the No. 14 after No. 7 was unavailable. He made an instant impact, scoring 10 goals in 13 Premier League matches in his first season.

Aubameyang totaled 92 goals and 21 assists in 163 appearances. His crowning moment came in the 2020 FA Cup final, where he scored twice to secure Arteta’s first major trophy as Arsenal manager.

“I thought, ‘Why not follow in the footsteps of a legend?’” Aubameyang said. “I’m proud to wear the No. 14 shirt and I hope to honour it.”

Eddie Nketiah: Promise That Didn’t Fully Deliver

Eddie Nketiah, a product of Arsenal’s academy, inherited the No. 14 shirt in 2022. After promising spells, he was given a five-year deal and the iconic number. However, he struggled with consistency, scoring only five Premier League goals in the following season.

He departed Arsenal in 2024, joining Crystal Palace for £30 million, finishing his Arsenal career with 38 goals and 10 assists in 168 appearances.

Gyökeres Takes the Baton

Now it’s Viktor Gyökeres’ turn. The powerful forward enters with sky-high expectations and will be expected to contribute immediately as Arsenal look to win their first Premier League title in over 20 years.

He arrives not just with goals, but with flair and charisma. His goal celebrations have already caught the attention of fans online, adding to the anticipation.

Conclusion: A New Era Begins

As Arsenal continue building a squad capable of challenging domestically and in Europe, Viktor Gyökeres represents more than a marquee signing—he represents a continuation of the No. 14 legacy, one filled with history, pressure, and potential glory. 0Time will tell whether he becomes the next legend to wear it proudly, but Arsenal fans will be watching—and hoping—with belief.

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