Viktor Gyokeres has told Mikel Arteta exactly what he wants at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has impressed with Sweden during the international break (Photo by Kazimierz Koper/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
It's been a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season at Arsenal for Viktor Gyokeres. The striker was the club's top scorer with 21 goals in 55 appearances in his first season in north London, having made the £64million move from Sporting CP last summer.
The 28-year-old was a major reason why the Gunners won the Premier League and also reached the Carabao Cup and Champions League finals. Yet, the Sweden international has racked up only 29 minutes of action in the Premier League so far this season.
Gyokeres is yet to score or assist in five appearances in all competitions. Kai Havertz has been preferred by Mikel Arteta and that has meant Gyokeres has been starved of minutes.
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Havertz suffered a suspected hamstring issue in Germany's clash with the Netherlands last week, though, and could now be set for a spell on the sidelines. That may open the door for Gyokeres, who has seemingly come into some form at just the right time. The striker has scored two goals in two games for Sweden during the international break, netting against Romania and Poland.
Sweden still have games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania to come, so it is possible Gyokeres boosts his confidence even more. Arteta will no doubt be watching and it could mean the Swede is in line to start against Leeds United on October 10.
Interestingly, Gyokeres was recently asked about his Arsenal future and how close he came to leaving in the summer, with the Gunners heavily linked with a move for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. The former Sporting and Coventry man insisted he never considered leaving the club.
Gyokeres said: "Of course, there was a lot of speculation. But I had a full pre-season, and it felt good. I was fully focused on Arsenal. For me, staying was a given. I'm extremely happy at the club."
The striker then outlined to Arteta exactly what he wants in the short-term future. "It's clear that I want to play football and as much as possible. Hopefully that will come, too," Gyokeres said.
"You always want to be on the field as a football player. Of course you expect more playing time, but we have an extremely good squad with a lot of good players and have been doing well here at the start."
Gyokeres will be hoping his goalscoring form for Sweden continues and if it does, he may well just be rewarded with his first Premier League start of the season.
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