Viktor Gyokeres reacts to Thierry Henry comparisons as Arsenal team-mates excited

Viktor Gyokeres is well aware of the expectations associated with his shirt number at Arsenal - but he's ready to embrace them fully. The £63million striker has taken the iconic No.14 shirt that was made famous by the Gunners' greatest ever player, Thierry Henry, in the early 2000s.

Between 1999 and 2007, Henry scored 226 goals and provided 101 assists in 370 appearances with 14 on his back. But Gyokeres is keen to downplay comparisons with the Arsenal great, and insists he never had any concerns about picking the same number as the Frenchman. "Of course I know about the history," Gyokeres said. "There weren't too many to pick from. But of course that one was available. So when I knew that it was an easy choice to take it.

"It's not really my intention to be compared with what he's achieved in his career. Especially here. I just want to do my own thing and show my qualities. Of course he was an amazing player, but different from me. I just want to try to do my own thing."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is thrilled that Gyokeres has chosen the No. 14 shirt. He explained: "I think I use the word conviction. That's the first thing that I noticed when I spoke to him. Someone very determined, someone that was really already attached to the club, the way he was talking about the club, the history, in this case Thierry, and what the shirt represented. I felt it, so when you feel it, go for it."

Gyokeres has already got his team-mates excited despite having yet to play alongside them. Captain Martin Odegaard is already impressed with the Swedish centre-forward.

"I think you've all seen what he's done in his career so far," the Norwegian skipper said. "Especially the last season at Sporting, the numbers speak for themselves. He's a very complete player. He's physical, strong, fast, good finisher, and intelligent as well. You can also see the hunger, the energy he brings.

"He's only trained a few times, but you can already see the quality and the willingness."

Gyokeres could make his unofficial Arsenal debut in Thursday's north London derby against Tottenham in Hong Kong. His actual debut could come against Manchester United on Sunday August 17, with the Red Devils having also been keen on the striker before he opted for Arsenal.

The centre-forward had a solo training regime while waiting for his move to the Emirates to be finalised and continued: "It's been a new experience. I haven't really been in that situation before. It's been a lot of waiting from my side. I wanted to come here, but it wasn't that easy. But I'm finally here and it feels great.

"I tried to train as much as possible by myself and keep the day going. A lot of days were the same kind of routine. I woke up, trained, had dinner and then went to bed again. It was like that for a few weeks, but it was worth it for sure."

Despite interest from United and others, Gyokeres insists that joining Arsenal was an easy decision. "Yes, I think you can always have a decision of your future. Of course there were other clubs as well, but I didn't feel it was a difficult choice for me this time.

"You need 11 on the pitch and people on the bench that can make an impact. You need a whole team that are together. Then I think you have a very good chance to have a great season."