Viktor Gyokeres says he feels physically better than ever and insists that his Arsenal team-mates are ready for everything the 2026-27 season throws at them. 

Gyokeres joined Arsenal last summer in a reported £63.5m (€73.5m) transfer from Sporting CP, after scoring 68 goals in two seasons with the Primeira Liga side. 

The 28-year-old endured a mixed debut season in North London, netting 21 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions, more than any other player in Mikel Arteta's team.

His style of play was criticised by many, but he was able to help Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years and a spot in the Champions League final. 

Gyokeres arrived at Arsenal fresh from netting 39 times in just 33 league outings in 2024-25, helping Sporting win their 21st top-flight title, making him the leading scorer in Europe's top 10 leagues that season, with his tally eight more than next-best Kylian Mbappe.

The Sweden international returned for pre-season training earlier than most, having seen his team eliminated by France in the last 32 of the World Cup this summer, and he has already got himself back among the goals. 

He scored a penalty in Arsenal's 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup, while also finishing with team-high totals for shots (four), touches in the opposition box (six) and fouls won (two, level with Kai Havertz and Myles Lewis-Skelly). 

"I feel much, much better than probably last pre-season," Gyokeres told Arsenal's website. "I've had more weeks now, and it feels very, very good physically.

"It was amazing to be back and to feel the atmosphere and see the fans again, but of course, we wanted a result as well. 

"I think we're in a good stage, everyone is coming back now from the World Cup, so I'm sure we're going to be ready for everything that comes."

Gyokeres was, however, critical of Arsenal's performance after their defeat to Dortmund, which marked their second straight loss after going down 3-1 to Real Betis.

Samuele Inacio opened the scoring early on after being slipped in behind Cristhian Mosquera, before a Konstantinos Karetsas stunner doubled Dortmund's lead. 

Ethan Nwaneri reduced the deficit nine minutes after the restart after being teed up by summer signing Christos Tzolis, only for Nico Kovac's side to restore their two-goal lead soon after through Joane Gadou, following a corner. 

Arsenal again got back within one when Gyokeres smashed in his penalty after Tzolis was fouled by Kaua Prates, but the Gunners were unable to find an equaliser. 

"I think we created some good chances, probably could have scored in the first half from a few of them," Gyokeres added.

"And then I think, of course, we have to do better in those moments where we concede. 

"I think the same goes for the second half, when we conceded from a corner. A bit unlucky, but still we need to do better.

"I think we have to make sure we don't concede those and then, of course, we managed to score two goals in the second half, but there's a lot to do better."