Graham Potter says he's done something now that could really help Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres is having a season to forget at Arsenal so far.
The Swede has fallen behind Kai Havertz in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, and he has shown nothing for the Gunners’ boss to change his mind.
Gyokeres was really poor against Napoli and Ipswich Town, and he is expected to be back on the bench when Arsenal take on Brighton on Saturday.
All the players will head off to international duty after that game, and Graham Potter has called up Gyokeres to the Swedish national team. He thinks that could make a difference.
Graham Potter thinks international break could help Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres is going through a really difficult period at Arsenal.
The striker was signed to solve the Gunners’ goalscoring issues last season, and he definitely contributed to helping them win the Premier League title.
This season, however, Gyokeres has played just 12 minutes in the league, and in his two starts against Napoli and Ipswich, he had a combined one shot.
That is simply not good enough, and if nothing changes, the Swede could find himself out the door at Arsenal in one of the next two windows.
However, Sweden boss Potter has called up Gyokeres despite his poor form, and he feels that decision could help him improve thanks to a change in scenery.
He said, as per ESPN: “It’s part of the life of a footballer. Things can come at you fairly quickly, and often you just have to deal with it. We know how good Viktor is, we know how important he is.
“We love him with the team, and I think he has the same feeling. Sometimes a change of context, a change of environment can help a player. We’re all looking forward to having Viktor with us and helping him enjoy his football.”
READ MORE: Why the upcoming international break could help Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
It’s now or never for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
Gyokeres will remain Arsenal’s second-choice striker, and he may only have a few months to change that.
The Gunners are looking at Eli Kroupi Junior and Kevin Schade as potential signings in the January transfer window, and both players can play up front.
If Gyokeres does not step up for Arsenal in the next three months, we won’t be surprised at all if he starts the second half of the season as the club’s third-choice striker.
That would mean the writing is on the wall for Gyokeres, and he will almost certainly be sold in one of the two windows in 2027.