When Arsenal unveiled Viktor Gyokeres this summer, it was billed as one of the most decisive transfers of the window. The £64m move from Sporting CP provided Mikel Arteta with the out-and-out striker fans had been calling for and it’s clear who inside the Emirates deserves the credit for driving that deal forward.
Berta’s influence inside Arsenal
Berta only arrived in North London earlier this year, but his fingerprints are already visible on Arsenal’s transfer strategy. Known for his relentless scouting network and sharp eye for undervalued talent during his time at Atlético Madrid, he saw in Gyokeres the profile Arsenal lacked: a powerful, penalty-box forward with a ruthless goalscoring instinct.
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The Gunners had flirted with other options including Benjamin Sesko, who eventually chose Manchester United but Berta remained insistent that Gyokeres was the perfect fit for Arteta’s system. His persistence eventually paid off, with Arsenal moving decisively once Sporting’s stance softened.
Why Gyokeres?
Gyokeres had been unstoppable in Portugal, scoring 43 goals in 50 games last season. What Berta valued most was not only his finishing, but also his ability to stretch defences, run channels, and give Arsenal a more direct attacking edge. In short, he was the kind of striker Arsenal hadn’t had since the days of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Now that he’s at the Emirates, Gyokeres has the chance to justify Berta’s faith. For Arsenal, this transfer is as much about the present as it is about setting a new direction, one where Andrea Berta’s influence will be increasingly decisive in the years ahead.
