Mikel Merino reveals what has ‘surprised’ him about Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres

Mikel Merino says Viktor Gyokeres has already ‘surprised’ him with his ‘off-the-pitch’ work and predicts the striker will be a ‘massive player’ for Arsenal.

Arsenal’s hierarchy faced criticism from fans and pundits alike for failing to bring in an out-and-out centre-forward as the club went a fifth successive season without winning a major trophy last term.

But Mikel Arteta made it clear that Arsenal were in the market for a genuine number nine at the start of the summer transfer window and the Gunners finally got their man last month.

Manchester United provided strong competition in the race for Gyokeres’ signature, with Ruben Amorim keen to be reunited with the prolific Swede following a wretched campaign at Old Trafford.

But Gyokeres turned down his former Sporting manager in favour of a £64million switch to the Emirates and the 27-year-old has committed his future to the north Londoners until 2030.

Gyokeres took Portuguese football by storm with his extraordinary goalscoring exploits at Sporting, netting 97 times in 102 appearances for the Primeira Liga outfit across his two years in Lisbon.

And while there have been some questions about Gyokeres’ capacity to step up and replicate his form in the Premier League arena, Merino has no doubt his new team-mate has what it takes to succeed.

‘With every player in the squad, you have to adapt to the principles that the team have already and, at the same time, us as players have to adapt to the team-mate and the qualities and the capacities they have,’ Merino told TNT Sports ahead of Arsenal’s opening match of the season against Manchester United.

‘Obviously, Viktor, being such a good striker with his own tools, he’s going to be a massive player for us so we’ll have to adapt to his qualities, try to find him in the right spots.

‘And also for him, he’ll have to adapt to our values, to our principles and I’m sure it’s going to be a good relationship there.’

Merino – who filled in as a false nine for Arsenal last season – has been taken aback by Gyokeres’ attitude and work ethic since arriving at the club.

Asked what the Sweden international will add to Arsenal’s squad, Merino replied: ‘Hopefully loads of goals! That’s what he does.

‘He’s an amazing striker. He’s strong, quick, he can threaten in the back of the line as well so that’s the main thing in terms of off the pitch.

‘But I’m more surprised about off-the-pitch stuff. He’s a professional guy, really humble and he’s already adapting and ready to learn.

‘He’s always with the eyes open so those are good qualities for a striker to have.’

Another new face in Arsenal’s squad this summer is Martin Zubimendi, who joined the Gunners in a £60m move from Real Sociedad.

Merino has already shared a pitch with Zubimendi at both club and international level and is glad to see his fellow countryman ‘adapting really well’ in his new environment.

‘He’s an amazing player and he’s a good friend of mine as well so I hope for the best for him, always,’ Merino said of Zubimendi.

‘He’s has proved himself here already in a couple of games how good he is and he’s adapting really well.

‘He’s learning the language but I think the most important language he knows already and it’s with the ball, communication with the team-mates.

‘Everyone loves him around here so he has adapted really well and hopefully will play a huge role.’

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