Gyokeres has become one of the most effective strikers in Europe after scoring 24 goals in 17 matches this season, attracting the attention of many Premier League clubs including: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal.
Sporting will host Arsenal at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the early hours of November 27. Goalkeeper Raya has warned his teammates about the home team's star player.
“We know Gyokeres’ strengths, the way he runs a lot in behind, scores a lot of goals in one-on-one situations. He is a player in top form,” he said.
We will try to contain him, not give him any chances. We have to strengthen our defense. Hopefully we can do well, keep a clean sheet.”
Meanwhile, coach Mikel Arteta refused to focus on Gyokeres alone, instead choosing to focus on the overall threat of Sporting - who beat Manchester City 4-1 in Ruben Amorim's final Champions League game before becoming Man United's head coach.
Gyokeres scored a hat-trick against Man City; since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2022, he has scored 69 goals in 67 games in all competitions.
Asked how good the Swede is and how Arsenal can stop him, Arteta chose to focus on Sporting's incredible 19-game unbeaten run this season, which includes 17 wins.
“I want to talk about Sporting CP, about the coaches, about how extraordinary they have been. Their achievements are incredible. That shows not only the quality, the preparation, the ambition, but also the energy the team has. Sporting CP is a big challenge for us,” he said.
Asked further about Gyokeres, Arteta replied: “I understand the question, but Sporting have a lot of special qualities. That’s why they can win games in different ways. In specific positions, they have great players.”
Arsenal have won just one of their last eight away games in Europe, failing to score in their last four, a run that dates back to a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven in December 2023, when the Gunners had already secured their place in the knockout stages.
"Not all games are the same. It's true that in some of those games we qualified. It's true that we have to improve a lot. That's the next step we have to take as a team.
I don't think it's the most important thing but the efficiency we've shown in the box in this tournament, along with the chances we've created, hasn't been at the level needed to win.
The Champions League is a competition of moments and details. You have to do those things well to win, especially when playing away from home,” Arteta said.
Sporting are second in the Champions League table with 10 points, while Arsenal are 12th with seven points from four games.
The match Sporting CP vs Arsenal will take place at 3:00 on November 27.
