Viktor Gyokeres reveals his Arsenal 'frustration' and gives honest answer on his future
Viktor Gyokeres has addressed his Arsenal future(Image: Franco Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres has admitted to being frustrated with his lack of minutes at Arsenal so far this season. The striker has lost his starting spot to Kai Havertz in Mikel Arteta’s side.
The 28-year-old arrived as a marquee summer signing from Sporting CP in 2025 as the Gunners sought to add a prolific centre forward to their ranks. Gyokeres ended his debut campaign with 21 goals across all competitions, including 14 in the league as he helped fire Arsenal to a long-awaited Premier League title.
However, the former Coventry City star had already begun to fall behind Havertz in the pecking order towards the end of last term, with the German ace starting in the Champions League final. This season, Gyokeres has come off the bench twice in the Premier League, with both of his starts coming in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
The Swedish striker could be set to regain his place in the starting XI, following Havertz's injury during the international break. However, Gyokeres has expressed his feelings about becoming the Gunners' second choice.
“Of course it's frustrating, no matter where it is,” Gyokeres told Swedish outlet SVT. “You always want to be on the field and contribute, score goals.
“It can be frustrating sometimes but I just try to do my best when I get the chance and focus on what I can control.”
His Gunners teammate Havertz sustained a muscle strain in Germany’s draw with the Netherlands on Thursday. The 27-year-old has since left his national team squad, which may signal a return to the Arsenal team for Gyokeres once club football resumes.
Both strikers could have been competing for places with another new forward this season following the Gunners’ interest in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez during the summer. Gyokeres was also linked with a move away in the transfer window but insists he never considered leaving Arsenal.
Gyokeres scored Sweden's winning goal against Romania on Friday(Image: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP via Getty Images)
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“Of course there was a lot of speculation. But I had a whole pre-season and it felt good,” Gyokerees told SVT. “I was fully focused on Arsenal. For me, staying was a given. I feel extremely comfortable at the club.
“It felt good last season, we won the league and we did well in all the other tournaments too. Of course we could have won some more titles, but of course it's acceptable after 22 years of waiting to win the Premier League.”
Gyokeres got on the scoresheet for Sweden in a 2-1 win over Romania on Friday. The striker will have several more opportunities to send a message to Arsenal boss Arteta before he returns to club duty, with Sweden next in action against Poland on Monday.
The Gunners had made a perfect start to their Premier League title defence before stumbling to a 3-0 defeat against Brighton ahead of the international break, allowing Manchester City to take top spot. Arteta will aim for his side to get back to winning ways when their campaign restarts at home to Leeds on October 10.
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