Arsenal are finally going to sign the goal-scoring striker they needed

Arsenal may finally be solving their biggest problem, and it could be the move that turns perennial runners-up into Premier League champions.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Viktor Gyökeres has reached a total agreement with Arsenal on personal terms and has made it clear to Sporting CP that he wants the move to happen. He has no interest in considering other offers and has already informed Sporting that he will not return for training, with his focus fully on joining Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Discussions between Arsenal and Sporting are well underway, and while nothing is finalized yet, the sense is clear: Arsenal are closer than ever to signing the elite striker they’ve so desperately needed.

Three years of coming close — and one missing piece

Under Arteta, Arsenal have become one of the most complete and tactically sophisticated teams in Europe. They’ve finished second in the Premier League three years in a row, going toe-to-toe with Manchester City but always falling just short.

And every year, the biggest issue has been the same: they don’t have a reliable, high-volume goal-scorer.

Gabriel Jesus is a brilliant link-up player, and Kai Havertz had a strong second half of last season, but neither offers the relentless box presence, movement, or cold-blooded finishing required to convert Arsenal’s dominance into goals. City had Haaland. Liverpool have had prime Salah on the wings. Arsenal, by contrast, have too often had to rely on wingers and midfielders to carry the scoring burden.

Gyökeres is the striker Arteta needed

Enter Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish international is not a household name yet, but his numbers at Sporting last season were beyond elite. He scored 39 goals and provided 7 assists in league play, dominating the Portuguese league with his physicality, intelligence, and ruthless finishing.

Yes, the Portuguese league isn’t the Premier League — but this is a tried and tested pathway. Players like Luis Díaz, Bruno Fernandes, and Rúben Dias all made the jump and quickly became elite performers in England. Gyökeres already proved he can do it at the highest level too, scoring a hat trick against Manchester City in the Champions League — a rare feat that speaks volumes about his mentality and talent.

At 27 years old, Gyökeres is in his prime. He has waited for the right move, and now, he only wants Arsenal.

Arsenal must finish the job

Reaching a verbal agreement on contract terms is massive. But this deal still hinges on Arsenal finalizing terms with Sporting. That won’t be easy, given the Portuguese side’s reputation for demanding top value in transfer negotiations. But with Gyökeres pushing hard for the move, Arsenal have all the leverage they need.

This is a player who wants to be part of Arteta’s project, and for the first time in years, Arsenal could have a No. 9 who guarantees goals. If they get this deal over the line, they’ll have the missing piece — the kind of striker who doesn’t just help you compete.

He helps you win.