Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal transfer gets seal of approval - 'You shut the noise down'

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Martin Keown is extremely pleased with the latest developments surrounding 'rock solid' Viktor Gyokeres.

The Gunners' meticulous work towards recruiting a new striker for Mikel Arteta's squad has taken a huge step forward. As reported by football.london, they are advancing towards agreeing a deal with Sporting CP for Gyokeres after talks stalled with RB Leipzig over the alternative top target, Benjamin Sesko.

Now the challenge for Arsenal is to settle a transfer agreement with their Portuguese counterparts, who want a deal in the region of £61m plus £8.6m in add-ons. Already through the door at the Emirates Stadium are goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who will provide competition for David Raya.

And on talkSPORT, Arsenal invincible Keown was asked if these four players would be enough to turn last season's runners-up into the next champions of England.

"That's the target, isn't it? There's not a lot wrong with the squad but they needed to add in certain specific positions," he replied.

"You know that a centre forward, they've been crying out for a centre forward due to the injuries they've had.

"This guy is rock solid. You can play the ball into him, he holds it up well, he has pace, power. I think he's quite emphatic in front of goal and I think he is just what Arsenal need.

"He just needs now to do his talking on the pitch," Keown replied.

The 58-year-old was then asked whether supporters would 'get off the club's back' if a deal for Gyokeres is complete.

He said: "It's not about that. It's about him producing on the pitch.

"You shut the noise down by what you do, performances, so I'm pretty sure Arsenal have got a tough start to the season with the fixtures, which is normal.

"They had exactly the same last season, the Premier League roll out difficult fixtures for Arsenal. Arsenal fans will moan about that but it's a fact, they're very difficult games.

"Now they need to have players in the building early to build up those relationships, build up those partnerships and make the next step. This is the next step for Arsenal."

And lastly Keown, giving his verdict on whether the signing of a striker needed to be finalised before the squad returned for pre-season training on Monday, answered: "Of course, but they don't want to be held to ransom.

"They had two targets that they were going for and now they've gone for this one.

"It's about him performing. I think it's really important they get him in the door. They start pre-season this week, they'll have an important tour coming up, they want him bedded in so the informations sticks for him to do what he need to do."

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