Arsenal fans in Kerala mimic Viktor Gyökeres’ signature mask pose in a rousing social media welcome for the star striker.
Fans of English Premier League club Arsenal FC in Kerala can barely stop blushing ever since the club signed the Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres from the Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon last week after months-long speculation.
That excitement is palpable in the hardly one-and-a-half-minute-long video posted by Arsenal Kerala Supporters Club (AKSC) on their social media handles – on X and Instagram – on Tuesday morning (July 29). The video, a montage made of 100-odd short videos received from as many fans from across the State and outside, features fans of all age groups, including children, clad in Arsenal jerseys.
Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres
They mimic Gyökeres’ by now popular signature goal celebration – that goes by the name ‘mask’ among his fans – by interlocking their hands in front of their faces. “There was a lot of speculation over his signing, and once it was confirmed, we wanted to give him a fitting reception. We got only eight days, and we asked fans to send HD quality videos of the ‘mask’ celebration, which we then compiled and made into a montage,” said Tony George, chairman, AKSC.
Sreehari Raveendran of AKSC compiled and edited the video. The video has since then caught the attention of football buffs, and the social media handle of Premier League India replied to it with an image of Gyökeres in an Arsenal jersey doing his signature celebration. Arsenal fans remain upbeat about the forthcoming season after missing out on the English Premier League title by a mere two points during the 2023-24 season and by 10 points in the last season, ending up second best on both occasions.
“Viktor Gyökeres is the first genuine striker to be signed by the club in a while. This is a statement signing as he has been one of the best strikers in Europe in the last couple of years. We are eyeing nothing less that the EPL title and the Champions League in the coming season,” said Ajmal Muhammed, secretary, AKSC.
Gyökeres was the sixth player to be signed by Arsenal during this transfer window. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, centre back Cristhian Mosquera, defensive midfielders Christian Norgaard, and Martin Zubimendi and right winger Noni Madueke are the others.
Published – July 29, 2025 08:58 pm IST
