How Arsenal will line up with Viktor Gyokeres 2025-26 season

How Arsenal will line up with Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal have finalised a deal to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres after weeks of negotiations with the Portuguese giants.

Article continues under the video

Gyokeres has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract and he is now considered to be a new Arsenal player as every document related to the transfer has been signed.

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

€77M

ETV Range

€69.3M – €84.8M

View full profile

The Sweden international will soon be unveiled as Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window and he is expected to immediately become Mikel Arteta’s starting centre forward as they look to end a major trophy drought that extends back to 2020.

Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting CP and he will be tasked with replicating this form at the Emirates Stadium.

But, how will he fit in at Arsenal?

How Arsenal will line up with Viktor Gyokeres

David Raya is firmly Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper and he will keep his place in between the sticks despite the summer arrival of Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Jurrien Timber and Benjamin White will challenge each other for the right-back slot, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori will compete on the left. If last season is anything to go by, Timber and Lewis-Skelly will be preferred by Arteta.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes will continue in central defence, with imminent new signing Cristhian Mosquera expected to play a back-up role.

Martin Zubimendi will instantly slot into the defensive midfield position at the Emirates Stadium and he will be backed up by fellow summer arrival Christian Norgaard. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard will feature alongside the Spaniard in midfield, with Ethan Nwaneri also likely to be deployed in a central role this term.

© IMAGO – Viktor Gyokeres will become Arsenal’s new starting striker

Bukayo Saka is a nailed-on starter on the right flank, while Gabriel Martinelli is expected to keep his place on the opposite side. However, Noni Madueke will battle the Brazilian for a starting berth on the left and he will provide cover for Saka on the right.

Arteta has repeatedly praised Kai Havertz since his arrival from Chelsea in 2023, but the Germany international is expected to lose his starting XI place to Gyokeres.

Havertz will still pick up meaningful minutes across a multitude of positions, with his versatility a key trait, however Gyokeres will lead the line next season.

Arsenal starting XI with Viktor Gyokeres

GK: David Raya

RB: Jurrien Timber

CB: William Saliba

CB: Gabriel Magalhaes

LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly

CDM: Martin Zubimendi

CM: Martin Odegaard

CM: Declan Rice

RW: Bukayo Saka

ST: Viktor Gyokeres

LW: Gabriel Martinelli