Viktor Gyokeres should listen very carefully to what Mikel Arteta just said about Max Dowman
Viktor Gyokeres has had a very difficult start to the 2026/27 season at Arsenal.
The Sweden international was the Gunners’ top scorer last campaign and played a big part in helping them win the Premier League and reach the final of the Champions League.
Yet, Mikel Arteta has preferred Kai Havertz up front, and the German’s great start to the season has made him undroppable.
We’re sure Gyokeres will want to win his place back in the side. Arteta may have just explained how to do it while speaking about another player.
Mikel Arteta’s comments about Max Dowman fully apply to Viktor Gyokeres
All the talk since Arsenal’s 4-2 win against Ipswich Town has been about Max Dowman.
The teenager scored a fantastic brace to help his side go through to the next round of the Carabao Cup. He was the clear Man of the Match at Portman Road.
Since that game, there have been calls for Dowman to start against Brighton, as many feel he is good enough to play regularly in the Premier League.
On Friday, Arteta was asked if the 16-year-old has been knocking on his door to start more games. The Arsenal boss explained exactly what he has to do instead.
He said, as per Arsenal.com: “That’s the best way to knock on the door – to do it on the pitch, not in the office. I think with that you’re just left out of arguments when a player delivers constantly on the pitch every single day in training.
“That’s the best way. That’s the best signal for the manager, and that’s the best signal for his teammates as well that they will demand that player play. And what Max did the other day, amongst all the players as well that haven’t played that many minutes, was really impressive.”
Viktor Gyokeres should listen to those comments very carefully, as they fully apply to him.
The former Sporting CP man had a really poor game against Ipswich. He seemed disconnected for large parts, his movement wasn’t great, and he just didn’t look threatening at all.
If that is the evidence on show, there’s no way Arteta would even consider picking Gyokeres ahead of Havertz, who constantly offers more in attack.
The Daily Briefing have revealed that Gyokeres is unhappy with his situation at Arsenal, but he only has himself to blame for sitting on the bench.
If he wants to change it, he needs to perform on the pitch – just like Dowman did in his first start of the season at Portman Road on Tuesday night.