Revealed: Viktor Gyokeres breaks Arsenal shirt sales record just days after completing £70m move – as he takes on iconic No 14 jersey worn by Gunners legend Thierry Henry
Viktor Gyokeres has smashed Arsenal’s shirt sales record in the days after his signing was confirmed.
Following weeks of arduous negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, the Gunners at last officially announced the Swede as an Arsenal player on Saturday in a deal worth £64million.
The news sent Arsenal fans into a frenzy, with an announcement video adding to such excitement as it was revealed the club’s new frontman will wear the iconic No 14 shirt, previously worn by club icon Thierry Henry.
It was thought that Gyokeres would have preferred No 9 – currently Gabriel Jesus’ number – but later expressed his desire to follow in the Frenchman’s footsteps.
To mark his much-anticipated arrival, Arsenal offered to print Gyokeres’ name and number on next season’s shirts for free, a service which would usually cost £16.
And the promotional move has been met by a wave of enthusiasm, with Arsenal fans flocking to the club store and website to get their free Gyokeres jerseys before the deadline on Thursday.
Viktor Gyokeres has smashed Arsenal ‘s shirt sales record in the days after his signing was confirmed
The Swede will wear Arsenal’s iconic No 14, previously worn by club icon Thierry Henry
He was officially unveiled as an Arsenal player on Sunday in Singapore
Such was the excitement that the official Arsenal website temporarily crashed, with early figures suggesting that ‘No 14 Gyokeres’ shirt sales have eclipsed those of any signing in recent history.
The staggering figures will only grow before the promotional offer comes to an end tomorrow, with thousands more fans likely to take advantage of the rare freebie.
Gyokeres has seemingly shot above long-standing fan-favourites Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard, who had previously been popular names on Arsenal shirts.
Since Myles Lewis-Skelly shot onto the scene, the youngster has also been a popular choice with fans, perhaps thanks to the fact he dons No 49, marking the number of games Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles went without losing.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s longing for a proper striker to the lead the line at the Emirates has been well discussed for years, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus struggling to fulfill such a role.
It’s hoped that the Gunners have finally found their man, with Gyokeres making the move to north London after firing home a staggering 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon.
More to follow.
