Viktor Gyokeres left Sporting Lisbon under a cloud last summer, having gone AWOL in order to push through his move to Arsenal, and he could get a frosty reception when he returns on Tuesday
Viktor Gyokeres’ move to Arsenal was acrimonious(Image: Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting Lisbon star Maxi Araujo insists that there’s no bad blood between their dressing room and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, despite his bitter departure. Gyokeres, 27, enjoyed two years in Lisbon, scoring an obscene 97 goals in 102 games to make himself one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.
But it ended rather acrimoniously between him and the Portuguese giants. Gyokeres went AWOL and didn’t return for pre-season training in order to push through his £64million transfer to Arsenal, which was eventually finalised in late July.
The Sweden international was criticised by Sporting’s fans, but Araujo and his team-mates don’t feel ‘betrayed’ by him. “The group and I were happy for him, he deserved it,” the Uruguayan left-back said.
“He did something incredible for Sporting. Personally, and I think the whole group was happy for his departure. I wish him the best.”
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Araujo’s comments echo those of Sporting manager Rui Borges, who was appointed six months prior to Gyokeres’ exit. The Portuguese boss told a pre-match press conference: “He is a great player, and I am sure he will be welcomed by everyone because he marked the history of Sporting, and he deserves this acknowledgement.
“I always try to be balanced, and I try to understand everyone. He had the ambition, and after talking to the management, they came to an understanding so ultimately everything that happened was correct for both sides; both Sporting and the player got what they wanted. He wanted to take that step in his career and we respect that.
“Players will change, but the club stays the same, and Sporting will go on winning. I wish him all the best and I am sure he will be very welcome here because the admiration we have for him is great.”
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Despite coming off of a free-scoring spell with Sporting, Gyokeres had trouble adapting to Arsenal’s style of play following his move. Now with 10 goals in his last 15 games for club and country, the striker’s confidence is up.
“i believe in the initial stage he had to adapt, given the style of play, and how Arsenal plays,” Borges continued. “But he is still a great forward and now he is back to what he does well which is scoring goals.
“During the first stage, the (Arsenal) fans were suspicious given what they paid for him, but little by little the truth came to the surface and he is a really great player and he will keep scoring goals.”
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