Viktor Gyokeres explains why he rejected Man Utd transfer and sends Ruben Amorim warning

Viktor Gyokeres has delivered a blunt message to Manchester United – I’ll be ready. The £63.7million striker, who turned down a move to Old Trafford in favour of Arsenal, has told his ex-Sporting boss Ruben Amorim and United exactly what to expect on day one of the new Premier League season.

Fresh off a solo training regime while waiting for his long transfer saga to end, Gyokeres has now joined his new Gunners team-mates in Hong Kong and insists he’s firing on all cylinders.

Asked if he’ll be fit to face United on August 17, he nodded, smiled, and said: “Yeah.” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is ready to unleash his marquee summer signing as early as Thursday’s friendly against Spurs in Hong Kong.

“He’s only trained today (Wednesday), very little yesterday (Tuesday),” said Arteta. “We’ll assess tonight (Wednesday night). If the medical team are happy, there’s a chance he features.”

Asked why he favoured Arsenal over United and other suitors, Gyokeres was crystal clear: “There were other clubs, of course, but this wasn’t a hard choice. I chose Arsenal.”

READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres responds to Thierry Henry claim as he reveals why he joined Arsenal

READ MORE: Man Utd make final Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins decision as transfer 'accelerates'

And boss Arteta is delighted. Speaking after watching him train in front of a packed Kai Tak stadium, in Hong Kong, Arteta was even more convinced he has the right man who can cope with taking on all-comers, including United.

He said: “When the news broke, and then you realise the magnitude of the club that you're going to be representing and how viral everything goes so fast in these days.

"I think his immediate reaction was, wow, and then he sees, you know, the way we were received again, the training session that we just had with 20,000 people. I think you're going to have a very good first impression, that's for sure.”

Club captain Martin Odegaard is already excited by what he’s seen. He said: “I think you've all seen what he's done in his career so far. 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.”

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