Arsenal are closing in on the striker Mikel Arteta has been craving. Viktor Gyokeres is on the brink of becoming a Gunner in a deal worth up to £62.4 million and now one of football’s greatest minds has had his say.
Jose Mourinho doesn’t hand out praise easily. But when he speaks, the football world listens. And he’s just offered a glowing verdict on Arsenal’s soon-to-be No. 9.
Speaking to Canal 11 ahead of a full interview airing this week, Mourinho called Gyokeres “a great player” with “no doubt” about his level, a comment that’s already doing the rounds among Arsenal fans online.
Mourinho backs Gyokeres to succeed in England
“Sporting played largely around him,” Mourinho noted. “But he’s a player with great potential. In England, he’ll face stronger teams and better players but I have no doubt about his quality.”
Coming from a man who’s managed Drogba, Benzema, Ronaldo, and Eto’o, that’s no small compliment. Mourinho knows strikers, and he believes Gyokeres has what it takes to thrive at the top level.
Forget the Darwin Nunez comparisons
Some skeptics are already drawing comparisons between Gyokeres and Darwin Nunez: another big-money signing from Portugal. But here’s why that narrative doesn’t hold up.
Gyokeres directly contributed to 67 goals last season. Nunez, at his peak with Benfica, managed 38. That’s not even close.
| Player | Games | Goals | Assists | G/A per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyokeres | 102 | 97 | 28 | 67.3 mins |
| Nunez | 85 | 48 | 16 | 87.4 mins |
On top of that, Gyokeres has played in England before, he knows the tempo, the grind, and the expectation. Nunez came in raw. Gyokeres is coming in ready.
Author Opinion
Arsenal haven’t signed a centre-forward since Gabriel Jesus in 2022. That’s about to change. And if Mourinho’s instincts are right, they’re not just signing a striker. They’re signing a title-changer.
