Arsenal learn new Victor Gyokeres reality amid transfer links thanks to Bukayo Saka

Sporting Lisbon striker Victor Gyokeres continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with signing a striker ever since last summer. The rumours intensified in the January transfer window, with Gyokeres among a host of strikers to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Gyokeres was joined by Napoli star Victor Osimhen, Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema, Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee, Brentford's Ivan Toney and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko in being rumoured targets for Arsenal.

However, it remains to be seen if the Gunners will make a move for a new striker when the transfer window reopens.

Months after the initial rumours, Gyokeres continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal. And one statistic has emerged which shows that he would be a valuable addition to Mikel Arteta's squad.

Squawka posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the stats for the most touches in the opposition penalty area for players in Europe's top seven leagues (Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Primeira Liga and Eredivisie). The numbers showed that Gyokeres topped the list with 294 total touches in the opposition penalty box.

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That number is 17 ahead of the next player who is second on the list, which is Arsenal star Bukayo Saka (277). Saka has scored 20 goals with 14 assists for the Gunners this season and has played a key role in helping Arsenal challenge for the Premier League title.

Gyokeres recently added more speculation about his future when he refused to confirm if he would remain at Sporting beyond this summer. The striker was asked about his future after scoring in Sporting's 3-0 win over Portimonense to take his tally up to 41 goals in 47 appearances this term.

“Stay next season? It's football, it's normal, I can't promise anything,” Gyokeres told A Bola this week.

“I really like being here, but in football, everything happens very fast and we have to adapt.

“I can't make so many predictions, it's difficult, there are still games this season, then we'll see.”