New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres says he just wants “to do my own thing” after taking the number 14 shirt previously worn by the club’s all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry.
The 27-year-old completed his transfer – worth up to £64m (73m euros) – on Saturday, ending the Gunners’ hunt for a striker to help their quest to lift a trophy for the first time since the FA Cup in 2020 in Mikel Arteta’s first season.
Henry’s 228 goals in 377 games made him synonymous with Arsenal’s number 14 shirt.
And speaking before what could be his first match in Arsenal colours in Hong Kong against rivals Tottenham on Thursday, Gyokeres says it was an “easy” choice to make when selecting his squad number.
“Of course I know about the history,” said Gyokeres.
“To be honest there weren’t so many numbers available. There weren’t too many to pick from.
“But of course, that one was available. So when I knew that it was an easy choice to take it.”
Henry won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Premier League Golden Boot four times with Arsenal, but Gyokeres is not worried about any comparisons that may come between the two.
“I don’t know. It’s not really my intention to be compared with what he’s achieved in his career,” he said.
“Especially here. I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course he was an amazing player, but different from me. I just want to try to do my own thing.”
Credit: bbc.com
