Gyokeres named 'signing of the season' by Premier League legend

Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has unequivocally named Viktor Gyokeres as the Premier League's signing of the season, following Arsenal's historic title triumph. For the former striker, the Swedish international was the crucial missing piece that allowed Mikel Arteta's side to finally achieve glory.

Arsenal ended a drought of over two decades by clinching the championship on Sunday, finishing the season seven points clear of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. Despite an investment exceeding 300 million euros in talents like Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, Rooney highlighted the 27-year-old forward as the player with the greatest impact.

After a challenging initial adaptation period in London following his move from Sporting, Gyokeres, who arrived as part of a significant squad overhaul, became the champions' primary attacking threat. The striker netted 21 goals across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in securing the league title and the club's journey to the UEFA Champions League final.

On his BBC podcast after the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Rooney justified his choice without hesitation. "I think Viktor Gyokeres. Granit Xhaka was brilliant at Sunderland, but look at what Gyokeres brought to Arsenal, he was exactly what they needed," he stated. "After finishing second for the last three years, I think he gave Arsenal something different, and that was a decisive factor in them winning the Premier League," added the United icon.

Rooney also analyzed Mikel Arteta's tactical shift. "Champions are champions," Rooney commented on the London side's evolution. "I really liked the way they played this season. Now everyone wants to play like Pep Guardiola's teams, but Mikel Arteta tried that for the last three years and didn't win the league. He changed the recruitment. They went for a bigger, more physical team, and they don't concede goals," he remarked.

The former England international concluded his analysis by praising the Gunners' defensive solidity and squad depth. "They are solid, they have players scoring goals from all over the pitch, and they fully deserve to win the Premier League," he concluded.