Arsenal’s latest striker, Viktor Gyokeres, has seen the gross sales of his No.14 shirt surpass any signing within the membership’s trendy historical past.
Although the ultimate figures are nonetheless being compiled from retailers and on-line shops, early information confirms that curiosity in Gyokeres merchandise has set a brand new benchmark for the North London facet.
The 27-year-old ahead formally joined Arsenal on July 26 in a deal value an preliminary £54.8m. From there, he instantly boarded a flight to hyperlink up with the squad for his or her pre-season tour in Singapore and Hong Kong.
He was unveiled to followers contained in the Singapore National Stadium earlier than the pleasant in opposition to Newcastle United, the place he was met by a raucous reception.
Speaking after that match, supervisor Mikel Arteta admitted that each gamers and employees had been “very excited” to work with Gyokeres – a sense clearly echoed by the Arsenal trustworthy, who’ve lengthy been calling for a marquee centre-forward signing.
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Henry’s iconic No.14 shirt
While Gyokeres would have most popular to take the standard striker’s No.9 shirt, that jersey is at the moment worn by Gabriel Jesus.
Instead, he opted for the quantity 14, famously worn by Arsenal legend and report goalscorer Thierry Henry, giving the brand new signing’s shirt an added emotional weight for the supporters.
To have fun his signing, Arsenal introduced that, for a restricted time, they might print Gyokeres’ identify and quantity on any 2025-26 shirt freed from cost, a suggestion that normally prices £16.
This promotion triggered such an inflow of orders that the membership’s web site briefly went down resulting from overwhelming demand.
The complimentary shirt printing runs till Thursday, and with the persevering with surge in orders from numerous gross sales channels, the general complete is predicted to push the report even greater.
Fan favourites overtaken
Before Gyokeres’ arrival, shirts bearing the names of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard had been among the many best-sellers.
Rising academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly additionally attracted notable demand, partly due to his No.49 shirt, which recollects the unbeaten run of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles.
Since the Sporting CP striker’s transfer, nevertheless, Gyokeres has eclipsed all of them.
The Swedish worldwide has already begun coaching together with his new staff, participating in a session in Singapore earlier than the squad flew on to Hong Kong.
Arsenal will subsequent be in motion in opposition to rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Kai Tak Sports Park on Thursday, July 31.
