Viktor Gyokeres’s position at Arsenal appears uncertain as he faces a critical juncture in his career with the club. The 28-year-old striker has yet to feature in the Premier League this season, despite Arsenal’s two victories over Coventry and Aston Villa. His absence from the pitch has drawn attention given his strong involvement last season, when he made 36 league squad appearances—starting 26 times—and scored 21 goals across all competitions.
Gyokeres’s limited playing time contrasts sharply with his prior role under manager Mikel Arteta. In last season’s campaign, the Swedish forward was a consistent presence in Arsenal’s attack, yet this season he remains on the sidelines even in matches where his inclusion appeared warranted. For example, during the recent game against Aston Villa, pundits noted that conditions seemed ideal for Gyokeres to come on, especially as Kai Havertz, Arsenal’s other recognized striker this term, struggled to make an impact. Nevertheless, Arteta opted not to introduce him.
The situation places particular significance on Arsenal’s upcoming home match against Chelsea. A failure to involve Gyokeres could raise comparisons to how Arteta previously sidelined players such as Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Martinelli, who eventually left the club. Ramsdale was sold to Southampton after being largely excluded following the arrival of David Raya last year, while Martinelli was transferred to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal this summer.
This season, Arsenal sought to enhance their striking options but were unsuccessful in securing targets. Reports indicate that assistant manager Gabriel Heinze approached Inter Milan about a possible move for Lautaro Martinez, but Inter declined to negotiate due to the player’s long-term contract. Additionally, efforts to sign Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez did not materialize.
Gyokeres now faces the challenge of reestablishing himself within a shallow Arsenal frontline. His career trajectory reflects his capacity for resilience. After struggling to break into Brighton & Hove Albion’s first team as a teenager, he went on loan to Coventry City, where his performances earned him a permanent move. His prolific scoring—41 goals in 110 Championship appearances—paved the way for a transfer to Sporting Lisbon, where he continued his strong form with 97 goals in 102 matches.
Despite his initial success in Portugal, it is at Arsenal that Gyokeres must now prove his value once more. Arteta’s recent comments on the squad’s attacking options were guarded. When asked if the frontline was “world class,” the manager expressed confidence in his players’ talent but did not offer definitive reassurance, emphasizing trust and support as the season progresses.
Arsenal’s upcoming London derby against Chelsea may offer Gyokeres a decisive opportunity to alter perceptions and demonstrate the qualities that convinced the club to sign him amid competition from other top teams. Having overcome setbacks before, the striker faces perhaps the most significant test of his resilience since arriving in north London.