“Very, Very Surprised” – Pulis Reacts to Gyökeres’ Arsenal Move

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·5 August 2025

“Very, Very Surprised” – Pulis Reacts to Gyökeres’ Arsenal Move

Ahead of Viktor Gyökeres’ debut season for the Gunners, a former Premier League manager has made a surprise admission following the striker’s big-money move. After a summer full of twists and turns, Arsenal finally got their man when they agreed a €73.5 million package for the Swede.

The former Coventry City striker caught the eye after scoring an astonishing 97 goals in just over one hundred appearances for Sporting. However, he had already been turning heads in the Championship with Coventry, and Tony Pulis was surprised that a Premier League side did not take a chance on him at the time.

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Pulis surprised by Premier League’s past hesitation

In an exclusive interview with BetVictor, Pulis admitted he was not surprised Arsenal managed to get a deal over the line, but he was surprised by the lack of interest during Gyökeres’ time at Coventry.

“Mikel Arteta has been under enormous pressure to bring in a centre forward and there is a lot riding on it, but I was very impressed with Gyökeres at Coventry City. I thought he did fantastically well there and I was very, very surprised that a team from the lower level of the Premier League didn’t take a chance with him, didn’t take a punt on him,” said the former Stoke manager.

“But he’s gone over there to Portugal and he’s done exceptionally well. Let’s see how he does. It’s a really, really interesting one next year because Arsenal will create lots of chances, Arteta has given him the chance – they are a fantastic football club but they are also desperate. A Premier League title would be unbelievable for them, it’s a big season for Mikel Arteta.”

Gyokeres (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

All eyes on Gyökeres as new era begins

After spending some time with Brighton, which included loan stints at St. Pauli, Swansea and Coventry, Viktor Gyökeres was sold permanently to Coventry City in the summer of 2021. The Swede then went on to score 18 goals and provide five assists in his debut campaign before adding a further 22 goals the following season.

His contributions proved immense and played a major role in Coventry’s journey to the 2023 Championship play-off final against Luton, narrowly missing out on Premier League promotion.

His impressive form caught the attention of Sporting that summer, and the rest, as they say, is history.

It is likely that several Premier League clubs had their eyes on Gyökeres during his time in the Championship, but a number of factors may have contributed to their failure to make a move. Now an Arsenal player, all eyes will be on how he adapts to the demands of the Premier League – something Gooners will hope is no issue once the new campaign begins.

Opinion: Why Gooners Shouldn’t Judge Gyokeres After His Spurs Debut.

I personally can’t wait to see him on the pitch proper. How about you?

Benjamin Kenneth

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