Viktor Gyokeres sent INSPIRTIONAL message by Arsenal legend Ian Wright

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • Updated: 20 Aug 2025 12:30 BST
  • 3 min read
Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal, 2025/26
© IMAGO

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres came under fire for his performance on his Premier League debut against Manchester United, and club legend Ian Wright has revealed that he has already been in touch with the Swede.

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Gyokeres signed for the Gunners this summer from Sporting CP in a €65 million deal that had been months in the making.

The expectation is that the 27-year-old Sweden striker will give Mikel Arteta’s the firepower they have previously lacked to go on and win the Premier League title.

But Gooners will have to be patient to see the best of their marquee summer arrival on the evidence of his Old Trafford bow. Gyokeres struggled to get the better of the Red Devils’ defence and failed to muster a shot of any type in a narrow 1-0 victory.

Current ETV
Player image Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Arsenal logo

Arsenal

Viktor Gyökeres
Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Arsenal

Arsenal

€79.9M

ETV Range

€72M - €87.9M

What Ian Wright told Gyokeres

Wright, though, has immediately leapt to the defence of Arsenal’s new No.9 and has revealed that he has already sent the striker a message.

“I’ve got a dialogue with every player in that Arsenal dressing room. I’ve already sent my messages to Viktor Gyokeres. I said: ‘You’re mirroring me, so all you have to do now is continue to have the faith in yourself that got you through the hard times.

“‘You doubt yourself because all of a sudden you’re playing with Saka, with Odegaard, arguably the two best centre-backs in the world, with Rice, Zubimendi — your level has gone somewhere else.’

“I saw that when I went into the Arsenal dressing room after I signed, I saw the levels. All I wanted to do was prove the work I had done brought me there & then it was up to me.”

Gyokeres’ next task for Arsenal is a Premier League clash with Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium – his competitive home debut for his new club.

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