Arsenal have officially signed Viktor Gyökeres - the striker who is making waves in Europe, with a contract worth 63.7 million pounds from Sporting CP. But what makes Gyökeres different is not only his incredible number of goals - 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting, but also his mysterious demeanor, especially his defiant "mask" celebration.
The mystery behind the “mask”
It was a detail that sparked countless speculations: Was this a message to those who had doubted him? Or was it a personal mark that he wanted to turn into his own brand?
In recent years, whenever Gyökeres scores a goal, he interlocks his fingers, raises his thumb, and forms a mask over his mouth. The image quickly went viral and became a hot topic among fans.
Since the rumours of Gyökeres joining Arsenal began, Gunners fans have been on the hunt for clues - from Riccardo Calafiori pulling his shirt over his eyes at the new kit launch, to Myles Lewis‑Skelly mimicking the “mask” gesture while reading the rumours on his phone.
Some say the move was inspired by Bane's (Tom Hardy) famous line in " The Dark Knight Rises ": “Nobody cares who I am until I put on a mask.” Could it be Gyökeres' way of asserting himself after years of skepticism?
When asked about the real meaning, he smiled: “It’s a good theory, but completely wrong. I like seeing people guess wrong, so I’ll keep it a secret.” Even his former coach Mark Robins (Coventry) knows but refuses to reveal it. Gyökeres once teased with a status on Instagram: “No one cares until I wear a mask.”
This mystery is not just for show. It reflects part of Gyökeres' personality - he always tries to create his own mark and maintain curiosity, both with opponents and fans.
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Gyökeres has just made his Arsenal debut. |
In terms of his career, Gyökeres was not the type of “prodigy” who was noticed early on. He started out at Aspudden-Tellus, a small club in Stockholm, playing on gravel pitches. At the age of 16, Gyökeres moved to IF Brommapojkarna (BP) and began his professional career. In 2017, Gyökeres scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists, helping BP gain promotion from the Swedish second division.
In early 2018, Brighton recruited Gyökeres with the hope of finding a rough diamond. However, in a fiercely competitive environment like the Premier League, he could not break into the first team.
Gyökeres played mainly for the under-23s, making a few substitute appearances but never making a Premier League appearance. “Viktor was always hard-working and determined,” manager Chris Hughton recalls. “But we didn’t see the goalscorer in him at the time. He was often on the left wing, and the big question was: was he suited to being a No. 9?”
In 2021, Gyökeres moved to Coventry on loan. Initially, he mainly played as a substitute, but his persistence and desire quickly convinced manager Mark Robins. Coventry bought Gyökeres permanently, and in just two seasons, he scored 38 goals, leading the team to the 2023 Championship play-off final (losing to Luton on penalties).
It was that brilliant form that caught the attention of Sporting CP. And in Portugal, he exploded. With 97 goals in 102 matches, 2 Primeira Liga titles, 2 Golden Boots, Gyökeres became the league's most feared scoring machine. The highlight was a historic hat-trick against Manchester City in a 4-1 victory in the Champions League - the match that made his name known in Europe.
The courage of the latecomer
Arsenal spent a huge sum of money, nearly £64 million, to bring Gyökeres to the Emirates. It was a risky but promising investment. Despite his impressive goalscoring record, Gyökeres had never played for a long time in a “Big Five” league. He was the type of player who succeeded through relentless effort, rather than by reputation.
Coach Hughton commented: “At Brighton, he was not a natural finisher. But over the years, thanks to his confidence and the habit of always looking for opportunities, he has improved significantly. At Arsenal, he will have many chances to score, that is for sure.”
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Gyökeres is highly expected to help Arsenal end their title drought. |
What makes Gyökeres special is not only his ability to score goals but also his strong mentality. He was once underestimated, was "locked" on the bench, had to leave many lower-ranked clubs to find opportunities. And now, at the age of 27, the Swedish striker returns to the Premier League with the mentality of a big star.
In the context of Arsenal needing a top-class striker to compete for the Premier League and Champions League titles, Gyökeres is expected to become the “missing link” in coach Mikel Arteta’s scheme. Not only his goals, his “mask” celebration style can also become a new symbol of pride and bravery for the “Gunners”.
Gyökeres once joked when a reporter asked why few people knew about him: “Don’t they?” - a confident and somewhat challenging answer. He doesn’t need to be loud, but every time he steps onto the field, all eyes are on Gyökeres - a man who is both mysterious and charismatic.
At the Emirates, Gyökeres will have to prove that his 97 goals at Sporting were not a mirage from a less competitive league. He will need to show his lethal ability against the toughest defences in the world . But with his experience – from the gravel of Stockholm to the pinnacle of the Champions League – Gyökeres is probably ready.
Perhaps Gyökeres’ “mask” is not just to hide a message, but also a shield to protect his beliefs, passion and tenacity. When the 2025/26 Premier League starts, fans will soon have an answer: Has Arsenal just acquired a striker capable of becoming a legend?
Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-pha-an-mung-mat-na-cua-gyokeres-khien-fan-phat-sot-post1572151.html
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