Viktor Gyokeres was hoping his second season on Arsenal’s books would bring out the best in him, and the striker would have returned from the 2026 World Cup hoping to secure plenty of game time.
However, the season has only just begun, and Gyokeres has already become a bench player, having remained on the bench for Arsenal’s first two league matches of the campaign. It is a surprise, particularly given his status when he joined the Gunners.
Arteta continues to trust Havertz
It is a bold decision from Mikel Arteta, who has opted to stick with Kai Havertz, one of the most trusted members of his squad. The manager has clearly chosen to rely on the German despite having another high-profile striker available in Gyokeres.
Havertz and the Swede are now the two main strikers at Arsenal after Gabriel Jesus was sold to Barcelona. The Gunners will be looking to make the most of their attacking options throughout the season, especially with plenty of matches still to come.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal as one of the top attackers in the world, while the Swedish striker had already proved his quality during his time at Sporting Club. That makes his current situation something of a surprise, with the forward struggling to break into the starting team despite his reputation.
Arteta promises opportunities
The Gunners have a lot of matches to play this season, and Arteta has suggested that there will be opportunities for players currently spending time on the bench. His comments should offer encouragement to Gyokeres and the other squad members waiting for their chance.
Arteta explained that he felt for those who had not been able to feature, while also pointing to the physical issues that can force changes within his squad. He said via the Metro:
‘I’m sad for the ones that didn’t have the chance to play because they all want to be participating.
‘But sometimes you have certain issues with players physically that you have to make changes and I’m sure there are going to be minutes for everybody.’
With the season still in its early stages, Gyokeres should have opportunities to demonstrate his quality. For now, however, Arteta appears comfortable continuing with Havertz as his preferred option in attack.
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Stats show Gyokeres lost possession of 43% of his touches last season:
“This high rate meant he lost the ball nearly every other time he touched it, ranking him among the highest in the division for possession loss rate among regular strikers”.
To me it’s obvious why Havertz preferred, but equally. To me, needed quality upgrade to both. Still astounded no more attacking buys were made in the window.
SG, in my opinion they are two completely different forward players and I’m sure MA will have thought about which one will bring the most success whoever we are playing.
I thought Gyokeres would have been a better choice against villa’s defence and Havertz did miss some excellent chances.
Perhaps with Bruno in midfield, his vision and through balls will suit Gyokeres game more?
I’ve got to trust MA on this one.
Gyokeres not good enough!!
We have left ourselves massively short going forward!
Why Gyokeres and not Havertz?
Let’s remember both of the above were part of the squad that won the PL etc last season and only saw city115 score more goals in that competition.
Of course we have left ourselves massively short and that’s because we’ve let Martinelli Trossard and Gabriel go and replaced them with an untried LW named Tzolis who has a lot of potential….nothing to do with Gyokeres or Havertz!!
Kindly you should use Gyokeres over Kai at this time we need something from our striker Victor Gyokeres. From Uganda arsenal fan’s as a family
We are winning EPL again this season, mark my words. forget the possession losses. he scored double figures and wen won epl since 22 yrs…that’s wat counts. Gyokeres is better off coming from the left wing anyway.
We couldn’t find a buyer then? 😊
Buyer for whom JBG?
It was always clear to me that Arteta loves Kai not unlike Wenger loved Ozil. However, when Kai has one of his off games like did against Villa, would there not be a time in such games to give Gyokeres 25 minutes?
There is no way havertz is better than gyokeres, never, even at gyokeres worst games he is still better than havertz that always miss one on one in every match, is that how other strikers miss goals??
I think currently our best 9 would be Marino, doesn’t panic, holds ball well, doesn’t stray offside, gets into great positions and I think has the best strike rate on target.
Last season we won the P L and V G was our top scorer, in is first ‘settlement and adjustment’ season.
He scored 21 goals in all competitions last season.
I’ll bet that this season, he breaks through 30+ goals in all competitions, if given sufficient game time by M A.
I don’t want to ‘put a number’ on his P L goals this season, but I bet he’ll be Arsenal’s to P L scorer this season as well.
Gyokeres must be the main striker to spearhead the attack forsure not Harvertz coz he’s too weak and lousy. what’s Arteta upto?
Yes, last season, we won the Premier League, and Victor Gyökeres was our top scorer, despite it being his first season with the club and a period of settling in and adapting to English football. He scored 21 goals in all competitions.
I strongly believe that if Gyökeres is given sufficient game time this season, he can break the 30-goal mark in all competitions. I also expect him to become Arsenal’s top Premier League scorer this season.
Honestly, I don’t understand why Mikel Arteta keeps starting Kai Havertz ahead of Gyökeres. I’m not happy to see Gyökeres on the bench, especially when he now looks much more settled and adapted after his first season.
Gyökeres has shown that he has the potential to be a top-class striker for Arsenal. Arteta needs to give him a consistent run of games and let him build confidence and momentum. Sometimes, it feels like Arteta has a special preference for Kai Havertz, and that is difficult for me to understand as an Arsenal supporter.
Arteta thinks the arsenal fans are doom but we knows very well why he’s always hate victor with such cority player please Tell arteta his time is tiking to end he can continue playing games with kai but nothing s for ever & so many biggest teams need Victor but he chooses Arsenal with his heart ♥️ ♥️ but Arteta is the biggest problem in & out in Arsenal -Mr koronke why do you really westing time with this M-arteta this team s so boring with him the fans are always crying 😢 😢 😢 for our❤❤❤❤ team please
Arteta is a master of the game. He knows the strengths and weakness of his squad members . He is a master tactician and knows approach to each game requires which player and the tact. Vivo arteta, you have done us proud.
Maybe Gyokeres has a knock or injury or some similar issue, that’s why he has not played.
After watching Havertz do nothing up front against Villa, shocked he was not replaced. Gyokeres has to be unfit, otherwise leaving your top goal scorer on the bench while Havertz is underperforming is diabolical.