Viktor Gyökeres wears Arsenal’s iconic number 14 shirt in tribute to Thierry Henry
New Arsenal signing Viktor Gyökeres has chosen to wear the club’s historic No. 14 shirt, paying tribute to legendary striker Thierry Henry. Manager Mikel Arteta praised the Swedish forward’s bold decision, calling it a sign of “conviction” and deep connection to the club’s history.
Arteta lauds Gyökeres’ mentality and quick adaptation
“He felt it, so when you feel it, go for it,” Arteta said when asked about Gyökeres’ shirt number selection. The Spaniard emphasized the importance of mentality in new signings and was visibly impressed by the striker’s confidence and sense of belonging.
Gyökeres joined Arsenal following an extraordinary spell at Sporting CP, where he netted 97 goals in 102 appearances, marking him as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. His arrival adds firepower to a squad aiming to challenge for both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League in the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal’s transfer window heats up with multiple signings
The 26-year-old Swedish international is part of a major recruitment drive at the Emirates this summer. Arsenal have already completed deals for:
- Noni Madueke
- Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Christian Nørgaard
- Martín Zubimendi
The total investment underlines the Gunners’ ambition to build depth and quality across all areas. Arteta confirmed that the club is not finished in the market, with further reinforcements possible before the window closes.
Ødegaard hails Gyökeres’ impact: “Strong, fast, and intelligent”
Team captain Martin Ødegaard offered high praise for Gyökeres after early training sessions. “He’s a very complete player: strong, fast, intelligent, and a good finisher,” the Norwegian midfielder said. “He’ll help us a lot.”
The team has entered preseason training with high expectations, and early signs suggest that Gyökeres is already integrating well both on and off the pitch.
A legacy number: Thierry Henry’s 14 shirt lives on
Taking the No. 14 shirt at Arsenal comes with weighty symbolism. It was worn by Thierry Henry, the club’s all-time leading scorer, during his legendary stint from 1999 to 2007. Few players since have taken the number, out of respect for Henry’s legacy.
Gyökeres appears undeterred by the pressure. His confident demeanor has reportedly impressed both staff and teammates, setting the tone for what Arsenal hopes will be a breakout season under Arteta’s leadership.
