In a surprising revelation from Arsenal’s training ground, right-back Ben White has hailed the club’s new star striker, Viktor Gyökeres, as a “monster” whose work ethic rivals that of club captain Martin Ødegaard. The £55 million ($74.2 million) signing from Sporting CP has quickly made his mark in north London, earning high praise from his teammates despite facing criticism from Swedish media over his physical condition.
Viktor Gyökeres (left) and Martin Ødegaard has plenty of similarities.
White and Gyökeres go way back, having come through the ranks together at Brighton & Hove Albion. While White earned his stripes with an impressive loan spell at Leeds United, Gyökeres faced challenges during a series of less successful loan moves. However, the Swedish striker found his groove at Sporting CP, where he delivered a staggering goal-scoring record over two years in Lisbon. This prolific form prompted Arsenal to secure his signature, and it’s clear he’s already winning over his new teammates.
“I can’t say a bad word about him, to be honest,” White told Arsenal’s in-house media. “He’s one of the most professional trainers I’ve ever seen, he’s right up there with Martin Ødegaard in that respect. It’s great that we have these players coming in, because all this competition for places makes people lift their standards and it makes everyone better.”
Gyökeres’s physical presence has been a talking point, with White describing him as a formidable force. “He’s a monster!” White laughed. “He lives for goals, doesn’t he? He’s a constant threat. You really don’t want to get in his way when you are playing against him, because he’ll just move you out of the way anyway!”
Despite recent criticism from Swedish media suggesting Gyökeres was out of shape following underwhelming international appearances, White firmly dismissed concerns about the 27-year-old’s conditioning. He emphasized that Gyökeres’s size is matched by supreme control, making him a nightmare for defenders. “He’s such a big presence,” White added, noting that the striker’s prior experience in English football gives him a unique edge.
Gyökeres is no stranger to the demands of English football, having played for Coventry City and alongside White at Brighton. This familiarity, according to White, sets him apart from other new arrivals to the Premier League. “You see a lot of people come to the Premier League and they’ve had no taste of what it’s like, and it can be a struggle,” White explained. “But for Viktor, he’s well used to it. He’s seen it, he knows what it’s going to be like and what to expect from the defenders.”
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of Premier League glory, Gyökeres’s arrival adds a new dimension to their attacking arsenal. His relentless work rate, combined with his goal-scoring prowess and physical dominance, has already earned him the respect of his teammates. While Martin Ødegaard remains the heartbeat of the squad, it’s Gyökeres who is emerging as the unexpected “monster” ready to make waves in north London.
With White’s glowing endorsement, fans can expect Gyökeres to silence his critics and prove why he’s the real deal at Arsenal.