Arsenal-Viktor-Gyokeres
Despite spending over £150m on new additions this summer, there’s an immense feeling of disappointment amongst the fanbase at Arsenal Football Club.
An elite-level forward was one of the biggest priorities this summer, which saw the likes of Vinícius Júnior and Julián Álvarez emerge as key transfer targets.
Deals weren’t achieved for either of the aforementioned talents in the recent window, subsequently leaving Mikel Arteta somewhat short of top-level quality in forward areas.
REUTERS/David Klein
The Gunners thought they landed a player of that calibre 12 months ago, but it’s hugely apparent that the big-money addition is not the long-term answer to their forward issues.
Why Gyokeres is now on borrowed time at Arsenal
As part of last summer’s drive to secure a first Premier League title in two decades, Arsenal secured the £63m signing of striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP.
The Swedish international was seen as the perfect option to lead the line at the Emirates, with his goal tally from last season showcasing how he made an immediate impact in North London.
Gyokeres-Arsenal-Champions-League-final
The 28-year-old netted 21 goals across all competitions last term, but it appears as though Arteta no longer sees the big-money man as his number one attacking option.
Gyokeres has had to settle for a place on the bench in each of the Gunners’ first two Premier League outings, with the manager deciding to utilise Kai Havertz as his main attacking outlet.
The Swede has been an unused substitute in both of the aforementioned matches, with his only minutes this term coming in the latter stages of the Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Such lack of minutes highlights the manager’s lack of faith in the attacker, who missed the fifth most big chances of any centre-forward in England’s top-flight last term.
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Most big chances missed in the PL (2025/26)
Player
Erling Haaland
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Igor Thiago
Ollie Watkins
Kevin Schade
Viktor Gyokeres
Bryan Mbeumo
Missing out on a new talisman has handed Gyokeres a lifeline, but his lack of minutes already this campaign suggests that he has no future under Arteta at the Emirates.
Arsenal already have an elite number nine ahead of Gyokeres
Arsenal’s failure to land Alvarez this summer will be a bitter blow for the supporters given the volume of targets pursued, with Arteta having to work with the options at his disposal.
Christos Tzolis was the only attacking-minded player to arrive at the Emirates this summer, with the Greek international now the only senior left-wing option available to the manager.
Gyokeres’ recent snub from the starting eleven has also highlighted the need for added attacking reinforcements, but the manager will have to wait until January at least to bolster his squad.
However, the manager could call upon Mikel Merino to fill the void at the top of the pitch, as the midfielder has constantly showcased his ability to star in the final third.
The 30-year-old, who joined for £27m in the summer of 2024, was originally brought into the Gunners ranks to provide needed quality and depth to the midfield department.
Arsenal - Community Shield
Arsenal - Community Shield
Injuries over recent seasons have seen the former Real Sociedad man feature at the top end of the pitch - a position which he’s managed to star in despite the unfamiliar role.
Merino’s first dance in such a position came against Leicester City in the 2024/25 campaign, as the Spaniard managed to net twice and secure a vital win in the club’s title hunt.
The Spaniard has featured in a similar position since that day, with the experienced man often delivering the goods when called upon by Gunners boss Arteta.
Mikel-Merino-Arsenal
He’s netted 15 times for Arsenal in the two years since his subsequent move, even netting against Real Madrid during the famous two-leg win two years ago.
The midfielder has taken his goalscoring feats to the international stage, subsequently scoring twice in nine minutes off the bench against Portugal and Belgium.
He’s showcased that when trusted to lead the line, he often delivers, with his skill set also allowing those around him in attacking areas to improve their own goalscoring tallies.
A move for Alvarez may still be on the lips of all supporters at the Emirates, but it may not be needed in the immediate future if Arteta decides to put his faith in Merino.
As for Gyokeres, he too could suffer should the manager unleash the midfielder at the top end of the pitch, which could see the hierarchy decide to cash in on his services next summer.