FROM GRAVEL PITCHES TO PREMIER LEAGUE STARDOM: THE RELENTLESS RISE OF VIKTOR GYOKERES

In the often-glamorous world of elite football, stories of raw talent and meteoric rises frequently dominate the headlines. But sometimes, the most compelling narratives are those forged in the fires of relentless dedication, self-improvement, and sheer, all-encompassing graft. Such is the tale of Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish international striker whose impending move to Arsenal is not merely a transfer, but a testament to the transformative power of unwavering commitment. From the cut knees on humble gravel pitches to becoming a goal-scoring phenomenon, his journey illustrates how constant toil can elevate a strong but unspectacular young player to one of the world's most coveted footballers.

As Arsenal finally put the finishing touches on their move for the 27-year-old Swedish international, The Athletic delved deep, speaking to former teammates and coaches to uncover the driving forces behind his remarkable ascent. David Eklund, a scout for Stockholm club IF Brommapojkarna, initially saw promise in the then 11-year-old at local amateur team Aspudden-Tellus, noting his strength and hard work, and his deadly instinct in the penalty area. Yet, Eklund admitted, "I didn’t think he’d be a superstar at the time. Maybe he’d play the highest level in Sweden or something like that," a clear indication of how far Gyokeres has pushed beyond initial expectations.

Bjorn Thuresson, president of Aspudden-Tellus, corroborated this early dedication, recalling that "all his trainers spoke of his super dedication, and that was apparent early on." Despite not being physically imposing as a child, his goal-oriented nature and constant desire to head for goal were evident. His father, Stefan, a coach at the club, fostered this environment, often seeing Viktor and his friends practicing before training, a clear sign of his singular focus on football and his relentless pursuit of goals.

Gyokeres' formative years were far removed from the pristine academies of today. Starting at Aspudden-Tellus at the age of six, he honed his skills on "the gravel pitch," a rugged surface that demanded resilience and special gear to avoid scraped knees. During the harsh Swedish winters, his development continued through indoor futsal. Even within this humble setup, where skill levels varied wildly, Gyokeres remained until he was 15. Thuresson believes this diverse environment, where he sometimes played with the best and other times took on greater responsibility with less advanced players, proved invaluable for his holistic development.

His eventual move to Brommapojkarna’s academy, orchestrated by Eklund, marked a step up. Despite early concerns about his technical finesse, his undeniable goalscoring prowess overshadowed these reservations. Eklund lightheartedly recalled how Gyokeres "scored with both feet, the head… the ass," showcasing his burgeoning predatory instincts. It was at this stage that Gyokeres, now standing at a formidable 6ft 2in, began his physical transformation. "The first time I properly met him and shook his hand, his hand swallowed mine!" Eklund remarked, illustrating his rapid physical growth.

Early first-team opportunities at Brommapojkarna followed swiftly, driven by his hard work and physical development. At just 16, he was deemed "strong enough" for the first team, and a stellar 13 goals and eight assists in the second division in 2017 put him on the radar of clubs beyond Sweden. His farewell performance was a hat-trick, clinching promotion back to the top flight before his move to Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2018.

However, the step up to English football, initially with Brighton’s Under-23s, presented a new challenge. Steven Alzate, a former teammate, reminisced about Gyokeres' extraordinary discipline, noting, "He is always in the gym. He loved doing his core work. He would be (in the gym) every day, doing his own little routine. You see him now and he’s ripped. Shredded." Despite his physical power, senior opportunities at Brighton were limited. Dale Stephens, a Brighton first-team regular at the time, confessed, "I wouldn’t have said at the time he was a natural goalscorer. He was 21 then, so I would say it’s not a natural gift; it’s something he’s worked very hard on. His finishing is a testament to hard work."

The turning point came with loan spells and eventually a permanent move to Coventry City in 2021. Here, Gyokeres truly "catapulted forward in development terms." Midfielder Ben Sheaf, who played alongside him, recalled Gyokeres returning for his permanent spell "having put more muscle on and was even more physical." Sheaf vividly remembered a training incident: "He pinned and rolled me, and I just couldn’t do anything about it. That was the first time I remember thinking: ‘Blimey, this is what opposition teams are going to feel.’" Sheaf also highlighted Gyokeres' fierce competitiveness, stating, "He’d throw his toys out of the pram if we didn’t win a small-sided game."

Coventry’s focus on refining his back-to-goal play and early finishing yielded immense rewards, with Gyokeres bagging 38 goals in 91 league appearances. Sheaf underlined his crucial role: "He was our main man. He could run in behind, hold the ball up and was so physical. The way we played was probably based around his attributes." After a prolific 22-goal season in 2022-23 that ended in Championship play-off final heartbreak, Gyokeres moved to Sporting CP in Portugal for a club-record €24 million. In Lisbon, he went into overdrive, scoring a staggering 54 goals in 52 games as Sporting secured a league title and cup double. Sporting coach Rui Borges lauded him as "a phenomenon," possessing "technical quality, strength, lucidity," and being "one of the best strikers ever to play in our league."

Now, the biggest test awaits as Gyokeres prepares to finally grace the English top flight with Arsenal, a level he narrowly missed with Brighton and Coventry. Both Eklund and Stephens are convinced he's ready. Eklund asserts, "He needs to play every week. He’s perfect for the Premier League." Stephens believes Arsenal will view this as a low-risk acquisition, confident in his attributes and ability to perform against top teams. Sheaf concludes that Gyokeres' Champions League exploits, including a hat-trick against Manchester City, prove he's "not just a machine that can run through people and bully defenders" but can also "play more intricately." For Arsenal, they are getting a player whose relentless self-improvement has turned him into a truly complete and formidable striker.