Opinion: Did Berta Overrule Arteta on Gyökeres Transfer?

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·7. August 2025

Opinion: Did Berta Overrule Arteta on Gyökeres Transfer?

The signing of a top-class number nine had long been on the agenda, which is why the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres has generated a flood of excitement. Arsenal completed the much-anticipated signing of the Swede towards the end of July, bringing the curtains down on a lengthy transfer saga. Due to the tactics employed by sporting director Andrea Berta, the Gunners were heavily linked to several strikers simultaneously and only pulled the trigger after carefully evaluating their options.

Ahead of the new campaign, questions are being raised about Mikel Arteta’s involvement, or lack thereof, in the deal for Gyökeres. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Manchester United icon Paul Scholes admitted he is not convinced Gyökeres was Arteta’s preferred choice for the role.

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“[Arsenal needed a] centre forward, I just wonder if you’ve chosen the right one,” Scholes said. “Because there was a lot of um-ing and ah-ing about it, I wondered if Mikel Arteta really wanted him, as the main one he wants? I’m not too sure, and he’s got him now. He’s had a really strange career path – Brighton, Coventry, and then he’s gone to Sporting Lisbon, and his goal record is absolutely brilliant – you can’t take that away from him. If there’s any team that he could go to and create chances, then it should be Arsenal, and it should be a really good match.”

Šeško, Berta and the Backstory

For much of the window, Benjamin Šeško was believed to be the club’s top choice at centre forward – more specifically, Mikel Arteta’s top choice. The Slovenian was lined up for a transfer in summer 2024 but decided to stay at Leipzig. This summer, Arsenal pushed harder, but an inflated transfer fee, failure to agree personal terms and concerns over his mentality saw the Gunners pull out of the race.

Credible reports have also revealed that Gyökeres was a signing driven by Andrea Berta following his arrival. Nevertheless, Arteta would definitely have had a say in the deal.

(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

New Power Dynamic at Arsenal?

There is little doubt the Spaniard leaned more towards a move for Šeško, but the club’s decision to sign Gyökeres indicates a healthy relationship brewing between Berta and Arteta. If the Italian was the driving force behind the move, he would have had to convince the manager to jump on board. That dynamic between the pair will be crucial as the Gunners seek major silverware next season.

Thoughts appreciated in the comments Gooners.

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