Viktor Gyökeres, the gunner Arsenal was waiting for?

At some football clubs, a shirt number isn't just a simple flocking. It represents a story, and the person who wears it is the center of all expectations. This is the case with the number 7 of several Manchester United stars: George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The number 10 of FC Barcelona's brilliant playmakers: Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, and Lamine Yamal today... Or the number 14 at Arsenal, inseparable from Thierry Henry, the Gunners' top scorer – 226 in 370 matches between 1999 and 2007. A player elevated to the rank of local legend, whose statue adorns the forecourt of the Emirates Stadium.

Since the 1998 world champion's departure, he hasn't had a successor worthy of his stature. Will Viktor Gyökeres, transferred on July 26 from Sporting Portugal for €65.8 million, be that man? "To be honest, there weren't many options available, but [the 14] was ," the 27-year-old Swedish center-forward explained to the British media. "When I found out, the choice was easy." It is above all highly symbolic. Because Viktor Gyökeres is well aware of his new club's past, nor of the hopes weighing on his shoulders as Arsenal return to the Premier League on Sunday, August 17, at Old Trafford, the Red Devils' home ground. As proof, his jersey has already set record sales.

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