Arsenal must avoid repeat mistake with Viktor Gyokeres as £15m star faded into obscurity

Viktor Gyokeres may be risking a problem faced by former Arsenal star Andrey Arshavin ahead of his impending move to the Emirates Stadium. Having been courted by much of Europe's top brass, Gyokeres is said to have eyes only on the Gunners, who are in talks with Sporting over a potential £60million deal.

A goal-laden spell at Sporting has attracted eyes from the Premier League and beyond. Gyokeres has scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese club and Arsenal are banking on whether he can replicate that form in the English top-flight. Having previously prioritised signing younger players who can be developed by Mikel Arteta, there is further risk in signing a 27-year-old who will be expected to immediately fire Arsenal to their first trophy in five years.

It is a quandary previously experienced by Arshavin in north London. In January 2009, the Russian midfielder found himself having to pick between the best clubs in England.

At the time, Arshavin was approaching the age of 28. He enjoyed an excellent start after completing a £15m switch from Zenit St. Petersburg and produced world-class moments. There were the four goals in one game against Liverpool at Anfield, and a stunning late winner against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Arshavin scored 31 goals and provided 45 assists in 144 appearances for Arsenal - almost a goal contribution every other game. Some of the club's far more expensive signings have not contributed anywhere near as that.

But Arshavin very quickly faded. In his third full season in north London, he made only 19 Premier League appearances, and the best of his contributions were long behind him. There was no trophy to boast about and the eccentric star returned to Zenit, initially on loan, without much of a complaint from any party involved.

Gyokeres will hope to avoid that fate. If he enjoys as good a start as Arshavin does, Arsenal will be keen for a trophy to justify the large sum being spent on a 27-year-old. They will want their efforts to persuade the Swedish star to snub the rest of Europe to be justified.

During an era in which clubs prioritise signing younger players, teams will be especially keen for their older signings to make an immediate impact. After all, all the talk has been about how a number nine will finally fire the Gunners and Arteta to a long overdue Premier League title.