Arteta's been told all about Gyokeres' behaviour by Arsenal star's old team-mate

Viktor Gyokeres' ex-coaches and team-mates have had plenty to say over time about Arsenal's summer signing ahead of his Premier League debut later this month against Manchester United

Arsenal have been told exactly what to expect from Viktor Gyokeres as their marquee summer signing prepares for his competitive debut for his new club. Mikel Arteta's side – runners-up in the last three Premier League campaigns – hope the Swedish striker will be the missing piece of the jigsaw following his £63.7million move from Sporting CP.

He became one of the most feared strikers in Europe during his two years in Lisbon. It has been a remarkable journey for the 27-year-old, who was playing Championship football with Coventry City just over two years ago following some underwhelming loan spells.

Few of those who worked with him in the early part of his career thought he would go on to achieve what he has. But those who have worked with him over the years have cited his steely focus, dedication and hatred of losing, which will be music to the ears of everyone at Arsenal, given their occasional habit of folding at the high-pressure moments.

Gyokeres’ competitive spirit doesn’t just extend to football. According to one of his former youth coaches, Peter Kisfaludy, a game of tennis with then-girlfriend Amanda Nilden – also a footballer – led to a fallout.

Kisfaludy, who describes Gyokeres as a ‘Swedish Orient Express’, told The Sun: "They went on holiday to Spain and she is really good at table tennis. They also had a game of tennis and she won so they did not speak for two days. They are both really bad losers.” With that in mind, we take a look at what others have also said about Gyokeres' behaviour.

'Not a natural finisher'

His first taste of English football was at Brighton, whose manager, Chris Hughton, didn’t view him as a natural finisher. Hughton said: “He wasn’t the type that you think will have one or two chances and he’ll put one of them away. But you knew he would always get chances.

"You knew he would because he always put himself in a position to get them. If you asked me then, would I see him as a player that would play at one of the top clubs in the Premier League, then I would have to say probably no, more than yes.”

Hughton added: "He was a bright lad. Probably because of where he came from, his English was very good, which I think helped. He was a very mature lad for a young one. He was a confident lad. I think he had a strong belief in his own abilities.

"If you’re a No. 9 going to Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, one thing you know is you’re going to get lots of chances. I don’t think it will faze him."

'Similar to Kane'

Like Harry Kane before breaking through at Tottenham, Gyokeres had a series of loan spells while at Brighton, with stints at St Pauli in Germany, Swansea and Coventry.

Ryan Bennett, who played with Gyokeres at Swansea and Kane at Norwich, said: "There are big similarities for me between Viktor and Harry Kane.

"Viktor did not make many starts for us and was not at Swansea long and he was a bit sluggish, although he did have a good mentality and was determined to succeed.

"When I was at Norwich, Harry came to us on loan and did not play much, so went back to Spurs. Later on, when I played against Spurs and Harry was in the team, it was like defending against a different player.

"It was the same with Viktor after he left Swansea. I played against him after he had moved to Coventry and his power had developed, his mindset was different and he was more aggressive. Like Harry, he has turned into a really top player.”

'Throwing his toys out of the pram'

A permanent move to Coventry gave Gyokeres’ career lift off following an initial loan spell, which saw him struggle to hold down a regular first-team place. Sky Blues midfielder Ben Sheaf told The Athletic: "When he came, he was in and out of the team and showed glimpses of quality.

“He signed permanently after the first loan, and he came back having put more muscle on and was even more physical.

"He was relentless with how much he practised. He’d do a lot of finishing drills after training. I remember once in training, we did 11-v-11, and the ball got thrown into him when I was playing against him.

"He pinned and rolled me, and I just couldn’t do anything about it. That was the first time I remember thinking, 'Blimey, this is what opposition teams are going to feel.' That was the first time I felt his physicality."

His competitive nature was evident as he threw his “toys out of the pram” on occasions. Sheaf recalled: "He was always ultra-competitive in training. He’d throw his toys out of the pram if we didn’t win a small-sided game.

"He’s a serious guy until you get to know him and he opens up. He’s a good lad but he’d be arguing in training, always wanting to win.”

One of the biggest influences on Gyokeres’ career was his manager at Coventry, Mark Robins – now the boss of Stoke City. He described the Swede as “robotic”, adding: “He’s metronomic with his timing, with his tempo, with everything that he did. That, in a nutshell, was why he did so well in that relatively short space of time and again, why he’s gone on to do other things.”

Celebration respect

It seems Gyokeres can give it out as well as take it, judging by his reaction to Gabriel mimicking his goal celebration – interlocking his fingers to cover his face, inspired by DC Comics villain Bane – during Sporting’s Champions League defeat at the Emirates last season.

Far from taking offence, Gyokeres responded with a cheeky Instagram post, sharing a picture of himself performing the celebration with the caption: "Always with respect."

The pair can now look forward to performing the celebration together during what Arsenal hope will be a title-winning season, starting at Manchester United next Sunday.