Tensions are growing within the Arsenal community following the official announcement of Victor Gyökeres’ signing on a five-year deal.
While the Swedish striker’s arrival from Sporting CP in a £65 million move has been met with enthusiasm by many, controversy has erupted over the shirt number he’s been handed — a decision that appears to have caused friction both inside the dressing room and among fans.
Gyökeres, who has been on Arsenal’s radar for months, was unveiled yesterday after successfully completing his medical.
However, what should have been a celebratory moment for the club has instead stirred debate.
According to various reports, the striker was granted his “dream” squad number upon joining — a number that was already associated with a senior player at the club, believed to be Gabriel Jesus.
Unveiling Raises Questions
At the unveiling press conference, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke highly of Gyökeres’ qualities, describing him as a player who brings power, presence, and determination to the squad.
Arteta acknowledged that the allocation of the shirt number involved “difficult discussions,” but said the club ultimately decided to honor the striker’s request.
> “Victor is an excellent addition to the team. He’s got everything we’re looking for in a modern striker. He expressed a strong desire to wear a specific number, and after internal talks, we chose to support that,” Arteta explained.
While Arteta did not explicitly mention the player who gave up the number, widespread speculation points to Gabriel Jesus, who previously wore the iconic No. 9.
This development has led to concerns about potential unrest within the squad, as it’s believed that the decision was made without significant input from other players.
Discontent Behind the Scenes
Club insiders suggest that Gyökeres pushed hard for the No. 9 shirt — a number traditionally reserved for a team’s lead striker — and the club obliged, possibly signaling a shift in the striker hierarchy.
The abrupt nature of the number reassignment is said to have surprised some team members, potentially creating early friction ahead of preseason.
The decision has fueled rumors surrounding Jesus’ future at the club, with some suggesting he could be considering a transfer or may be handed a different squad number altogether.
Mixed Fan Response
Supporters have reacted with a mixture of excitement and concern. While many welcome Gyökeres’ arrival and see him as a strong asset for the upcoming season, others believe the way the shirt number change was handled was disrespectful to the outgoing holder.
On social media, one fan commented:
> “Love Gyökeres, but you don’t take the No. 9 from a current player without saying anything. That’s not how you treat your own.”
Another wrote:
> “Excited to see what Gyökeres can do, but the way this has played out feels messy. Hope it doesn’t affect the dressing room.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, Arsenal remain focused on preparing for the upcoming season with a strengthened squad.
The club is aiming for major silverware, and Gyökeres is expected to play a significant role in that push. Arteta may face more questions on the issue in the coming days, particularly during the preseason tour.
Gyökeres, meanwhile, expressed his joy at joining the Gunners and receiving the number he always dreamed of.
> “Wearing this number at a club like Arsenal means everything to me. I’m ready to give everything on the pitch,” he said confidently.
An updated squad number list is expected to be released before the first preseason match, which could help clarify the internal changes and calm the growing unrest among fans.
