Viktor Gyokeres has now been an unused substitute for both of Arsenal’s opening Premier League games, and inevitably that is beginning to raise questions about the striker’s position in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
The Swede remained on the bench for Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Coventry City and, perhaps more significantly, wasn’t called upon during Arsenal’s tight 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.
Kai Havertz has started both Premier League games, but seeing Gyokeres remain unused while Arsenal searched for a breakthrough at Villa Park was certainly interesting.
Two games alone don’t tell us that Gyokeres is heading for the exit, but the timing is difficult to ignore given what has already been reported about Arsenal’s interest in Julian Alvarez.
Could the Gyokeres and Alvarez story have another twist?
We reported on 23 August that Arsenal were reportedly prepared to consider using Gyokeres as part of an extraordinary package to sign Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
One claim at the time suggested the Gunners could offer Gyokeres plus £68.5 million for the Argentine.
In fact, we first reported on the possibility of a Gyokeres-Alvarez swap back in June, when reports from Spain suggested Atletico Madrid could be open to discussions if Arsenal were prepared to include the Swedish striker alongside a sizeable transfer fee.
Gyokeres subsequently addressed the speculation himself, saying he felt “extremely comfortable at Arsenal” following the Gunners’ title-winning campaign.
However, circumstances have changed considerably since then.
Gyokeres has now watched Arsenal’s opening two Premier League fixtures entirely from the bench, despite Arteta having opportunities to introduce him in both.
Is Arteta simply choosing Havertz?
There is an obvious alternative explanation.
Arteta may simply prefer Havertz at centre-forward at the moment, with Gyokeres remaining an important member of a squad that will have to compete across several competitions.
Two unused substitute appearances certainly aren’t enough to conclude otherwise.
But on deadline day, against the background of Arsenal’s long-running interest in Alvarez and those previous reports concerning Gyokeres, it is enough to make the situation worth watching.
There is currently no fresh credible report suggesting Arsenal have revived a Gyokeres-plus-cash proposal today, and it would be wrong to suggest that they have.
Nevertheless, the question has become considerably more interesting than it was a week ago.
If Gyokeres remains an Arsenal player when the window closes, perhaps his absence from the opening two games will prove to have been nothing more than Arteta’s early-season selection preference.
If something dramatic happens before the deadline, however, we might look back at those two unused substitute appearances rather differently.
What do you think, Gooners? Is Arteta simply preferring Havertz at the moment, or has Gyokeres being left unused twice made you wonder whether something could still happen before the deadline? Let us know in the comments.
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No!
Havertz was terrible yesterday. Surprised that Gyö wasnr given any minutes.
A very underwhelming transfer window…
I believe Gyokeres didn’t play because of his technical deficiencies, reluctance to engage in aerial duels, inability to help our midfield and bad link play. Havertz is simply better in those aspects
The Swedish also only produced 16 open play goals from 55 appearances, so he didn’t do a fantastic job at scoring and he couldn’t create good chances for his teammates as well
Gyokeres would likely get his chance if Havertz is injured or unfit to play
I don’t think Gyokeres will be used to get Alvarez, since Atletico Madrid are signing Jonathan David and Alvarez seems very reluctant to return to England
No he isn’t Haverhill is awful at aerial duals and holding the ball up. He was dire yesterday. You and I have no idea why Gyokores isn’t playing or coming on, even when Haverz is shocking.
Haverz not Haverhill
Haverhill in Suffolk IS awful…
😂😂😂😂 my predicted text is working then. And also has an opinion.
Havertz only missed easy chances yesterday, but he played well in our last three matches since the UCL final
Havertz’s inaccurate shots might make Gyokeres a starter against Chelsea though, unless Arteta wants Havertz’s extra motivation to play against his former team
He has been terrible at holding the ball up and winning duals in the air. The question still remains, yesterday when he was so bad, out striker still isn’t getting 10 minutes at the end. Thats not right at all.
@Gai, I am a bit skeptical about Gyokeres lacking in all of these. Havertz has his own flaws. Gyokeres is a better finisher and it’s Artetas work to improve him.
Not allowing him play isn’t doing good to his confidence. Havertz in some games can be very poor he isn’t a perfect 9 either. IMO, Arteta has sentiment for him.
He seems like a pretty confident guy, being benched for 2 games is unlikely to be a major issue.
Arteta hinted at physical conditioning of unnamed players in his after match interviews. So maybe there’s a fitness issue, or it’s just that he wants to work with Gyokeres a little, and field him when he decides he’s ready to start getting more minutes in.
There’s also the story that Gyokeres’s management was approaching Barcelona about a transfer a few weeks ago that, knowing Arteta, could have triggered some decision to wait until after the transfer window shuts.
👍Good situational analysis imo Bergkampfwagen, especially the last paragraph. The real world is more than just Bad Havertz or Bad Gyokeres.
Haverhill🤣 should be Heverz is awful.
And that should have been a reply to above.
I did wonder who Haverhill is, apart from a place in Kent, I think 🤣
😂😂😂😂😂 hes better than Haverz
Haverhill?
When did we sign that player?
Sausage fingers syndrome 😂
Haverhill on Spurs short list, for sure, now they have heard we are after him.
😂😂😂😂
I’m thinking no more incomings, so transfer window closed for us.
I think you are right. I am hoping from the cameo I saw yesterday that our forwards will benefit from Guimarez playing intelligent early balls through. I hope thats what he has been bought for.
I disagree.
We’ve not signed from Chelsea yet
Enzo still available?
Man City
Mudryk?
God forbid
spurs
Not signed and sealed yet.
Yes they have, thank god.
Over the season we will need them both.. we have an
extremely strong middle and defense and a great goalie. Yesterday Bruno showed us he can pass the ball
through low blocks, now Martin O and MLS need to take notice.. Our main problem is preventing burn out
at all cost (Saka and Rice ) and keep Saliba fit. Mosq is
young and inexperienced but Konsa is a great signing
I would start Gyokeres vs Chelsea next Sunday.. Win the game and we are in great shape !!
Gyo is our best scorer and should be playing.
Agree but I have no problem playing Haverz as a striker, when needed but when it clearly is not working, why is Gyokores sat twiddling his thumbs? He scored more goals last year than Haverz any season?
As I responded to Sylva above, there may be good reasons. Arteta suggested some players weren’t fit to play 90 mins, but maybe Gyokeres is generally just a bit off the pace right now. It looks like Arteta is trying different tactics with more free-roaming players (Tzolis last game, Calafiori this one) and trying to stretch play wide then invert and overload the box with multiple players rather than relying on a traditional winger-striker formation.
I’m surprised JA comments didn’t go ballistic over Zubimendi’s first pass being straight back to the keeper. 🤦♂️
Haha yeah… these are intelligent enough players, they don’t always just automatically hoof the ball forward… Sometimes they’re also just getting to the flow of things?
Agree Reggie, Havertz was awful, yet Gyokeres still could not get any minutes. If there is no injury, why no appearances?
Productivity can’t be it, because both Havertz and White will be in the lineup against Chelsea; shocked if Arteta drops them.
Unfortunately Arteta isn’t interested in goal scoring strikers, going by history, he much prefers creators, hybrids, versatility, etc….. No surprise the interest in Alvarez; yet another Jesus/Havertz type player.
Alvarez not elite; “Elite striker” and his 8 goals goes together as well as “Champions Spurs”. Please keep a finisher as striker, either leave Alvarez alone or sell Kai, we don’t need to similar striker types
👍 agree.
Havertz is a decent player. That is where my compliment for him stops. I never believed he should have been bought, not at the price we paid. He was brought in to replace Xhaka, which failed miserably. MA had to justify his ingenious decision and put Havertz at the front (he was briefly on the wing as well).
He is talk yet not aerially good. His technicality is fine but not outstanding to compensate for his immobility. Finishing surely was not his strong suit. He seems to be a jack of all trades. Havertz and Madueke both baffled me, guess MA sees something different in them.
I would like to see Havertz being in a deal to swap for someone we really need. Madueke is another option. Keep Martinelli and use him as a counter attack or late half surprise will be effective. Yet, we are about an hour away from window closing and no reinforcement on the left is coming.
Arteta ball seems to be defensive and slow. I accept that, hope the untasteful style can sustain our wins this season again.
Arsenal will only have themselves to blame if they bdo not add either alvarez or osimen to their faltering attack. Goykeres is not the answer and neither is Harvetz . The latter was through on goal from balls from odegard and guimares and he missed the sitters.. hope this profilgacy will not come back to haunt them…
It’s just to create competition between the two. He did the same for Trossard and Martinelli – we saw Martinelli getting benched (without reason), for long.
It’s possible Gyokeres is on the bench for the next 3 – 5 games.
I think it’s just to create healthy competition.
5.25pm and still no sign of a signing. While I like the look of our defense and midfield. I have big question marks regarding our attack this season.
Free-scoring we are not. These 1-0 wins are alright, but they’re not good for the heart of us poor suffering fans.
I don’t want to be spending half my season hiding behind my sofa. Even if my sofa does have spy holes to look through. 😂
Yeah likewise!
I don’t mind that we weren’t able to snag a superstar forward. Honestly there just weren’t that many players out there and available to us that would level us up significantly.
But we all know that depth across the squad is necessary for winning titles, and I am now really worried that we’re taking a risk by limiting our attacking options.
I can see what Arteta is trying to do with Calafiori, and I think Hincapie can do most of it too, but it’s only one strategy. If the inverted winger approach isn’t working for certain games states and we want a pace winger, we’re now kind of stuck, with no Martinelli. Maybe it’s OK with Bruno added, but yet to see.
Unless we change tactics Derek, make sure you hoover behind the sofa😂
Yeah Derek, but won’t it be great if you can now have a ready made focus to our lifting the title again with those gut wrenching 1-0 wins. Pepto Bismol does wonders sometimes.
Gyokeres not starting isn’t a big surprise as this was likely going to be the case last season with him and Havertz rotating depending on opposition before Havertz injury. Not getting a single minute was a big one especially when Villa pushed forward looking for an equalizer having Gyokeres against that high line was the obvious choice. Mosquera and Rice forced substitutions probably took his subs spot.
This transfer window reminded us of send half of Wenger era where loads players get mentioned in the transfer window but eventually nobody is signed. Especially the VJ & Alvarez stories. Both players were not interested in joining Arsenal but Arsenal never denied those rumours in the early phases . So why go after players knowing they are not interested? Just create the buzz & fool the fans ?
Cos you don’t get superstar players to upgrade your attack if you don’t even try.
Stranger things have happened than a player changing their mind…
As time ticks towards the window closing and no sign of anyone coming in, I think Arsenal are taking a big gamble.
They look stacked in the defense and the midfield. But having looked stacked in attack, that has now changed with the departures of Martinelli, Jesus, and Nwaneri.
And also having question marks over the likes of Havertz and Gyokeres depending what poster you read, the attack is a real concern. Am I the only one who thinks this way?.
Merino to the rescue! Eze will handle the NLDs.
It is understandable that some fans are concerned about the limited transfer activity but people need to consider what some clubs are paying to strengthen their sides: Savinho for £85m, Tonali for ~£100m. Even if one accepts that Barcola is a great player it is still remarkable that a player who can’t regularly start for his club is considered worth £123m.
This has been one of the most difficult transfer windows to get a player for what may be a somewhat reasonable fee.
I don’t think there’s anyone who thinks our attack is world class, and we’ve had several years of debate around the left wing already as well as 9s… so nah, you’re not alone Derek!
Bergkampfwagen,
For a team that can now call themselves champions, it feels strange to still be having to have these questions regarding our attack.
But sadly we’re no nearer answering the questions are we?.
It doesn’t feel strange to me. Imo very few teams have ever been able to build a high octane effective attack while maintaining the level of control over play and defensive structure we enjoy and which has led us to the title. We could let off the handbrake and open up play (even with the personnel we have) but we would also leak goals and have lesser results. This is one reason why MA looks for players who he believes can most effectively fit into a planned cohesive unit. Doesn’t always succeed of course.
Bruised Banana,
While I hear what you say regards defensive control, it can still be achieved with more attacking football.
We managed it under Arsene Wenger. Now I know he had a heck of a defensive unit at the time. But there are those who rave on about our current defense, well lets see how good they really are, by being more attack minded while still keeping it tight at the back.
As I said it can be done. Arsene Wenger showed it can.
There have been a few in the past like the older AW teams but very few. Could we build a team capable of such? Perhaps in the short term but the cost would be enormous even compared to what is currently spent. I don’t think the ownership believes that cost, even if that super team could be achieved, would be worth it in comparison to what we’ve already achieved.
I know mate. Even if we couldn’t get the absolute top players in the world for fully valid reasons, you’d think we’d get at least one more depth signing if we’re letting Trossard, Martinelli and Jesus all go. Not to mention your point about not having a really top shelf number 9 which we really haven’t had since Auba left.
It’s funny though, if you check the pundits and blogs for what the pro analysts are saying, they all think we had a decent window overall, even just adding one attacker, by signing Guimaraes. United and Villa are getting absolutely slated. Liverpool failed to get a right winger. Man City only traded depth. Chelsea added Rogers, probably the best buy. Spuds are trying to integrate Man City cast-offs!
Arsenal have some very good attacking players but none that have proven to be amongst the best we’ve ever seen. The closest we’ve got is probably Saka. There is a huge issue with the transfer fees. Barcola for £123m, Savinho for £85m??
At the end of the window Liverpool’s attack alone would have cost ~£274m to assemble. Yet it is doubtful that they would be considered favourites for the league title.
This is a very difficult market to navigate safely. And Arsenal are up against some of the best run teams in world football.
Yeah our unwillingness to pay massively over the odds for players (basically bribe them to come) is frustrating for fans, but it’s totally understandable at the same time.
Chelsea and Man City are just more willing to gamble. Liverpool also the last few years. Maybe we need a reset on that thinking.
yet they don’t mind fans paying over the odds lol
can you see an issue with that business model
Different thread Dan, maybe worth an article!!
not if your saying it’s understandable for the club not want to pay over the odds ?
I wonder if that will be the case when Arteta extends his contract ?
No I mean if they charge fans the highest prices in the EPL for tickets, yet the only players they were willing to spend big on to improve the squad were Vini Jr and Alvarez.
Are they though ?
huge gamble that could cost us everything and proves a lack of ambition
Firstly…
{here she goes, how many bullet points to her latest hypothesis}
I say again, Firstly – perhaps it’s not attacks that win you things, but defences you can’t get a shot in target against, and midfields that totally dominate you? So what are some crazy Gooners trying to say? As we defend and lift our Premiership crown they are booing “boo! We wanted to win it with more style!” flip off IMHO.
Secondly – today’s signing of Barti Bobbins feels HUGE to me. Sure we weren’t only one in for him, so credit to Berta. How does anyone know Barti is going to be that good? How does anyone know Dowman will be that good, or Lemal be that good?
Thirdly – in the debate wether to just buy loads of things for manager to play with, that’s actually all much of a muchness – Spuds – or to spend £400M and 72% of wage bill on just 3 players, leaving you with the squad depth of a Spring Onion – or do it the way Arsenal are doing it – I choose the way Arsenal are doing it.
Fourthly – once you Boo boys have flipped off, you can keep flipping off. Off you go.
Fithly – I have been drinking, but it’s got nothing to do with Arsenals transfer window.
Sixthly – You have to agree with me – today’s signing of Barti is huge and exciting!
“As we defend and lift our Premiership crown they are booing “boo! We wanted to win it with more style”
While in general I get your point regarding booing, nevertheless, we all have a right to desire the football we’d rather see. A superior defense (including help from midfield and attacking players) or a superior attack (including help from midfield and defensive players) can win you a title and I’m happy with either doing so. It is rare to get both but it isn’t a crime to want it whether it is realistic or not.
I think as far as forwards/attacking wingers go, selling Trossard, Martinelli and Jesus and just getting Tzolis is going to haunt us.
We started off well with Guimaraes and Tzolis but if we don’t get anyone to replace Martinelli it will mean that overall it has been a bad transfer window
Things can still happen but my optimism for an attacker today is almost gone.
Thing is when they go after these high profile attackers that we know are destined to fail, rather than possibly hijacking a Barcola deal, it just makes fans even angrier, than if they hadn’t gone after any at all, especially while selling off our entire left wing.
Bang average players going for £60 to £85mn … eg Savio and Ndiaye.
No point buying those players jjust as back up as ae are beyond thst now.
Yes everyone has strengthened but we have a big quality squad with maybe one high quality forward missing. If we are going to have e to pay £125mn then it had better be Vini Jr or Alvarez etc. Barcola way overpriced for someone who starts as a sub !
Barcola was behind the best LW in world football ,still decent numbers last year .
I agree his speed was phenomenal, even if the end product wasn’t always there, he’s certainly handy to help you get the ball up the pitch.
Barcola started more games than Kvaratskhelia for PSG last year. Price was too high for our liking, but not too high for Liverpool’s. Value for money depends on what the club thinks it needs I guess.
Why are we so poor at buying attackers. To me totally negligent that we’ve weakened our attack and not replaced. We already lacked creativity in attack. The gaffer himself doesn’t appear to trust Gyokeres.
I don’t rate our attack here at all, ex. Saka. At least one short of reliable creator and goal scorer if we’re aiming to win everything.
Stats show Gyokeres is simply not reliable enough – he 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”.
Arteta didn’t even trust him 3-0 up against Coventry,
Yeah he is the worst of our forwards at holding possession. And it would make sense for Villa, who have pretty good, Prem-experienced defenders, but Coventry when we’re 3-0 up? Maybe he just wasn’t fit for that one. I guess we’ll find out in the next few games.
In the next game presser we all expect Arteta be asked by journalists why Gyokeres didn’t get some minutes esp v Villa when Havertz was not doing fine