Getting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line would make this a dream summer transfer window for Arsenal fans.
That’s according to a Gunners double title-winner who admits, though, that their stunning series of upgrade signings would put huge pressure on Mikel Arteta to win a major title this season.
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Following a slow start to the summer, Gooners should allow themselves to get excited for the new campaign having wrapped up three quick deals, with more on the way.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined from Chelsea as Arsenal’s new No.2 goalkeeper and Arteta has rebuilt his midfield with the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
A deal is also currently in the works to bring a second Blues star to the Emirates Stadium in Noni Madueke.
While some supporters might raise eyebrows over essentially signing two players their London rivals don’t want, Perry Groves insists it’s been great business so far from the Arsenal hierarchy.
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There is a feeling there is more to come, too – the edition of a top class striker could make this the best transfer window the club has enjoyed in years.
And while the Gunners and Sporting Lisbon are continuing to squabble over a fee for Viktor Gyokeres, Groves has told the north London club to just fork up the cash to end their search for a goalscorer.
Norgaard deal a stroke of genius
On the £15million signing, Groves told talkSPORT Breakfast: “People have been surprised by the Norgaard deal but over four seasons in the Premier League he’s been Brentford’s most consistent player. I think he’s very, very underrated in that midfield three.
“We all know Arteta has a very specific style of play and tactics that he wants to implement. Norgaard is six foot-plus and we know Arteta likes the big, strong, physical sort of players.
“I think the thing that is underrated with Norgaard is his passing ability. He’s got good vision. He’s good at defending those 1v1 duels, but he’s also got a bit of creativity.
“Jorginho has gone out and I think Norgaard is an upgrade. We need a stronger squad and Norgaard is an upgrade on Jorginho because he’s more mobile, he’s got more in his legs.
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“I know people are saying he’s 31, and back in my playing days your peak had gone by then, but nowadays these players’ peak is probably between 27 and 33 because of how well they look after themselves.”
Surprise Madueke move provides something new
With the England winger incoming from Chelsea, Proves said:“The Madueke deal was, I must admit, a little bit left field. I don’t think anybody saw that coming.
“But when you look at it, I think the reason Arteta has gone for Madueke is when teams come to the Emirates and they sit deep, we struggle to break them down, and Madueke is brilliant in 1v1 situations.
“If you look at his stats compared to Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, they’re very similar from last season apart from the dribbles per 90 minutes and dribbles completed.
“And people forget that he’s six foot too, so there’s another one in the basketball club.”
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Gyokeres is a Gooner – GET IT DONE!
Groves said: “Gyokeres is the one, but there’s a stalemate because he feels he had a gentlemen’s agreement with the hierarchy at Sporting Lisbon to go for a certain price, they’ve said no.
“But as a Gooner, if you’re getting up to £60m and you’re arguing over £3m or £4m, at that price £3m or £4m is nothing – just pay the money!
“As a player, if you’re on the market for £60m, you want the club coming in for you to offer a little more to show how much they want you to come to your club.
“My sources tell me, and I’m not making this up, Gyokeres was a Gooner as a little kid. He’s always supported Arsenal and it’s been well documented that he wants to come to us.
“That’s the most frustrating one because there will be a massive sigh of relief from our part of north London, we get a centre forward in, then that squad is looking unbelievably strong.”
The goal is clear – Arteta needs a title
Asked if all these deals would put pressure on Arteta to win something big this season, Groves added: “Well, yes, in a nutshell. I think he knows that as well.
Viktor Gyokeres’ former strike partner Matty Godden reveals secret behind his success
“If it wasn’t for Arteta we wouldn’t be where we are. We were irrelevant before he took over.
“We weren’t quite as pants as Manchester United and that mob up the road, but we were like eighth and seventh and inconsequential.
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“Arteta has brought the soul of the club back , he’s changed that culture and brought in a load of young hungry players that actually care about the club.
“Now, he has to win either the Premier League or the Champions League, and I think he gets that as well.”
