New Gunner Gyokeres could debut against Tottenham in Hong Kong

Viktor Gyokeres could make his Arsenal debut in the cauldron of a north London derby this week in front of 50,000 Hong Kong fans, manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday.

The $67 million Swedish striker came through an open training session at Kai Tak Stadium, where Arsenal will take on Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday in the bitter rivals’ first clash outside of the UK.

Gyokeres joined up with Arsenal on their Asia tour only three days ago, after signing from Sporting Lisbon, but will get some time on the pitch if the club medical team think he is ready, said Arteta.

He is playing fitness catch-up with his new teammates, though, who came through pre-season friendlies in Singapore last week against AC Milan and Newcastle.

“Yes, I understand he’s only done today’s session and yesterday, very little,” Arteta told reporters.

“We’re going to assess tonight how he is, if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate tomorrow night, it’s a possibility.

“With the rest of the squad, everybody is OK.”

The 27-year-old Gyokeres fired Sporting to the Portuguese championship last season with 39 goals and made global headlines when he netted a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City.

The striker, who has chosen to wear the number 14 shirt made famous by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 matches for the Portuguese side.

He has joined Arsenal on a five-year deal which could cost the north London club up to $89 million with performance-related add-ons.

His arrival took Arsenal’s close-season spending to around $267 million.

They have also signed defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielder Martin Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Christian Norgaard and forward Noni Madueke.

Arteta was clearly pleased at the business the club has carried out in the transfer window so far, as he seeks to be the first Arsenal manager to win the Premier League since Arsene Wenger in the 2003/04 season.

“I am extremely happy with the way that we have approached the window and how aggressive we’ve been,” said Arteta, who has finished runner-up in the Premier League for the past three seasons.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard said he was excited to play with his fellow Scandinavian, Gyokeres, calling him “a very complete” player.

“I think you’ve all seen what he’s done in his career so far, especially the last season at Sporting, and the numbers speak for themselves,” Norwegian international Odegaard said.

“You know, he’s physical, strong, fast, good finisher and intelligent as well.

“So I think he’s a very complete striker,” said Odegaard.

“Really excited to have him with the team. And he’s only trained a few times, but you can already see the quality and the energy and the willingness.”

Meanwhile, New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank admitted that a pre-season clash against Arsenal in Hong Kong would be his first ‘great challenge’ since taking charge and warned it would be “more than a friendly”.

“It’s a great challenge,” the Dane told reporters at 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, which is sold out for the match.

“Besides being our big rivals, and the first North London derby outside the UK, they are also, right now, one of the best teams, I must say unfortunately, in the world,” he said with a smile.

“Against Arsenal it’s not only a friendly and we’ll do everything we can to win.”

Frank took over last month from Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked despite leading Tottenham to Europa League glory and ending a 17-year trophy drought.

Tottenham have signed attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for $74 million, but have been thwarted in efforts to capture Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.

Frank said he and the club were “constantly talking about transfers” but “that is something I would like to keep private”.

“In general I am happy with the squad. We’re aware of where we maybe want to strengthen in general,” he said.

Agencies