Viktor Gyokeres breaks silence on snubbing Man Utd for Arsenal after key Arteta moment

Viktor Gyokeres has revealed that a chat with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta convinced him to join Arsenal over Manchester United. The Red Devils were the only other serious contenders for the Swedish striker before he completed a £63.5million switch to Arsenal.

Arsenal concluded a lengthy saga by confirming Gyokeres' arrival from Sporting today. They were one of a number of clubs who entered the summer transfer window in desperate need of a new centre-forward. Gyokeres was initially strongly linked with United and a potential reunion with his former Sporting boss, Ruben Amorim. However, Arsenal boss Arteta and sporting director Berta sold a move to North London instead.

Gyokeres told Arsenal's website: "I just felt that it was the right club for me. What I heard from Mikel and Andrea when I was speaking with them, and just what I've seen in the past years, how they've been playing football. When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.

"That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. It's been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That's what it's all about. It's going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well."

Gyokeres scored 97 goals in only 102 appearances for Sporting. He has been entrusted to score the regular goals Arsenal's forwards lacked last season.

The 27-year-old added: "I always want to score. To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling.

"I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team.

"It's a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing. When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so I feel that I can be on that level as well. Now to come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going."