David Raya reveals Arsenal plan for Viktor Gyokeres as Mikel Arteta sent five-word message

David Raya has revealed his plan to stop Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Arsenal's clash against Sporting. The Portuguese outfit will host the Gunners at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Tuesday night as they both look to climb the Champions League table.

Gyokeres, who sees his contract expire in June 2028, has featured 11 times in the Primeira Liga this season, scoring 16 goals. Playing an important role in Ruben Amorim's former side, the 26-year-old striker has fired Sporting to the top of the table.

He's enjoyed a brilliant vein of form in the Champions League too, netting a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month to maintain Portuguese club's unbeaten run. Unsurprisingly, Gyokeres has become one of the most coveted strikers in Europe – and Arsenal are well aware of his ability.

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"We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one-v-one and he is a top player in form," said Raya, speaking to reporters at a press conference on Monday. "We are going to try and keep him very, very quiet. Don’t give him any chances. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a great job and keep a clean sheet."

The Gunners goalkeeper was very complimentary of Gyokeres, meanwhile, Mikel Arteta remained coy. The Spaniard said: "I would like to talk about the team, about the coaches and how phenomenal they have been. The run they are in is incredible.

"That tells you that it is not only the quality, the setup, the ambition, it is something about the team energy that they have. That is a great challenge that we have tomorrow, to come here and make a statement and show we are capable against this kind of opponent. Be ourselves and win the game."

Then, when pushed for a comment on the Sweden international, Arteta replied: "I understand the question, but they have a lot of individual qualities. That’s why they can win games in various ways. And yes, in the specific position they have great players."

Gyokeres has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and Arsenal as he continues to impress for Sporting. According to The Telegraph, he has a €100m (£83m) release clause in his contract, but he'll be allowed to leave for a lower fee in the summer.

The report states that the Portuguese club could accept a bid worth around £63m – which would still represent a significant profit on the £20m they paid Coventry City at the start of last season. All eyes will be on the Swede and how he fares against William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães...