William Gallas has issued a warning to Viktor Gyokeres ahead of his £63.5m move to Arsenal.
After a protracted transfer saga, Gyokeres is finally set to join Mikel Arteta’s squad from Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon.
Gyokeres has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world over the past two seasons, scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting.
The 27-year-old Sweden international emerged as Arsenal’s top target for the No. 9 position after Andrea Berta hit an impasse in a bid to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Gyokeres has already agreed terms on a five-year deal with Arsenal and is expected to be unveiled by the Gunners in the coming days.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Gallas says Gyokeres will be taking several steps up when he swaps Sporting Lisbon for Arsenal and therefore fears the striker could struggle in his first year in the Premier League.
‘He’s not just making one step,’ Gallas told Genting Casino. ‘Going from Sporting to Arsenal right now is more like two or three steps.
‘He will be playing against defenders who are really strong, maybe the strongest. In the first season, he will need to adapt.
‘He’s tall, he’s massive, so I may get attacked for saying this but in Portugal, he had a much bigger advantage on the defenders. He will need to adapt to the Premier League defenders quickly.
‘There’s a chance that his second year is much stronger than his first year at Arsenal.
‘But Arsenal will not be wanting to wait for a major trophy any longer. And the signing of a striker is seen as that last piece of the puzzle to do exactly that.
‘I hope that, if he comes in, he hits the ground running. We’ve all been waiting for Arsenal to sign a killer. Only time will tell if Gyokeres is an assassin in the Premier League.’
Gyokeres could become Arsenal’s fourth summer signing following Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Gunners are also close to signing England winger Noni Madueke in a £55m deal from London rivals Chelsea.
William Gallas excited by Martin Zubimendi transfer
Arsenal saw off competition from Real Madrid to sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Gallas is excited by the transfer.
‘The way he has played for Real Sociedad, and the job that he has done at the base of the midfield… that’s what Arsenal need,’ Gallas added.
‘It’s exactly what Arsenal need To have that player just in front of the defence, allowing the other midfielders who do maybe half defensive and half attacking duties to really focus on creating goals for Arsenal.
‘The fact that Liverpool and Real Madrid were also both very interested in Zubimendi shows you a lot. It shows you how highly regarded his skills are.’
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for the third year in a row last season while reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Arteta’s side begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 against rivals Manchester United.