Arsenal accept they may have to make a ‘ruthless’ decision on £55m player

Let’s not beat around the bush, Viktor Gyokeres was horrific against Ipswich.

The Swede has had two chances in as many weeks to start from the off, having only played 12 minutes in the Premier League. He started against Napoli in the Champions League and failed to impress, and was even worse on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup.

He’s always been a very polarising figure among the fanbase but even the Gyokeres believers are starting to fade. And according to Flashscore, it may have left Arsenal with a lot to consider.

While there is no suggestion Arsenal are looking to move Gyokeres on as soon as possible, there is already an acceptance within the club that a ruthless decision could be required next summer if his situation doesn’t improve.

The questions around whether he is technically good enough to be a stylistic fit for Mikel Arteta’s system are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Last season he was needed. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Merino all had their respective injury issues and Gyokeres was always available. Arsenal would not have won the league without him.

But it’s clear why Arteta prefers a more technically elegant player in Havertz or even Merino leading the line. Arsenal simply play better football with that profile of forward on the pitch.

This season, Gyokeres has looked a shell of himself. His technical limitations have always been evident, but now his confidence looks shot, and he’s not making the same runs we’re used to seeing from him. Perhaps that’s a bit of frustration, but the international break couldn’t come sooner for Gyokeres.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona were both linked with Gyokeres during the summer, and there was even mooted interest from Saudi Arabia. Arsenal ultimately kept him, though there were some reports that they tried selling him, possibly including him in a deal for Julian Alvarez.

The sales of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, two perfectly serviceable players for the club, proved just how ruthless Arsenal are prepared to be if performance levels aren’t quite at the requirements. Gyokeres won’t be the only player the club will consider selling if the performances of the likes of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke don’t improve.