Graham Potter has publicly backed Viktor Gyökeres to remain a “top player” despite the striker’s difficult start to his second season at Arsenal.
The Sweden head coach has dismissed concerns surrounding Gyökeres after the 28-year-old struggled for regular minutes under Mikel Arteta during the opening weeks of the campaign.
Gyökeres has started just twice for Arsenal this season and is still searching for his first goal.
His only Premier League appearance came as a late substitute during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, with Kai Havertz currently Arteta’s preferred option through the middle.
Potter believes the upcoming international break could provide exactly the change of environment Gyökeres needs.
Graham Potter Backs Viktor Gyökeres After Arsenal Struggles
Gyökeres has made four Arsenal appearances across all competitions this season.
He came off the bench in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and played the final 12 minutes against Chelsea.
His two starts arrived against Napoli in the Champions League and Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup.
Neither produced a goal.
That represents a significant change from last season, when Gyökeres finished as Arsenal’s leading scorer with 21 goals in all competitions.
Speaking after announcing his latest Sweden squad, Potter insisted there is no reason for concern.
“Things happen. Things go up and down, just like life does,” Potter said in comments reported by football.london.
He then pointed towards Gyökeres’ achievements with both club and country.
“He’s a Premier League winner. He scored a lot of goals as a number nine for Arsenal.”
The message was clear.
Potter views the current spell as a temporary dip rather than evidence of a deeper problem.
Potter Says There Is ‘No Problem’ With Gyökeres
Gyökeres’ reduced role has inevitably created debate over his place within Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
Havertz has been preferred in the Premier League, while former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has already questioned whether Arsenal’s current tactical approach naturally suits Gyökeres.
Potter is considerably less concerned.
The Sweden head coach highlighted Gyökeres’ performances during World Cup qualifying and the summer tournament before addressing the criticism surrounding him.
“Players at this level will always get criticism at some point,” Potter said.
“But there is no problem here.”
Potter then offered perhaps his strongest public show of support.
“We love Viktor. He enjoys being here. We will create the best conditions for him so that he can continue to be a top player.”
That backing arrives at an important moment.
Gyökeres has not suddenly lost the qualities that made him Arsenal’s top scorer last season, but the lack of regular starts has made it difficult for him to build rhythm.
Sweden can now offer him something Arsenal currently cannot guarantee: consistent responsibility as one of the team’s leading attackers.
Sweden Could Give Gyökeres Arsenal Reset
The timing of the international break could therefore suit Gyökeres.
Sweden face four Nations League matches across an 11-day period.
They host Romania on 25 September and Poland three days later before travelling to Bosnia & Herzegovina on 2 October and Romania on 5 October.
Gyökeres remains an important figure within Potter’s squad alongside Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.
The Sweden boss believes temporarily stepping away from his club environment could prove beneficial.
“Sometimes a change of scenery can help a player,” Potter said.
“We’re all looking forward to having Viktor with us. We’re going to help him enjoy his football.”
That does not mean there is an issue between Gyökeres and Arteta.
There has been no indication from either Arsenal or the player that he is unhappy with his situation.
Instead, Gyökeres finds himself competing with an in-form Havertz for one position.
Arteta’s preference for the German has already become a significant selection talking point, with our analysis of Arsenal’s striker battle between Havertz and Gyökeres examining why the balance has shifted.
Gyökeres Has Chance to Force Arsenal Selection Question
A productive international period could change the conversation quickly.
Four Sweden fixtures should give Gyökeres an opportunity to rediscover the rhythm that has been difficult to establish at Arsenal.
Goals would not automatically guarantee him a Premier League start when he returns.
They could, however, provide Arteta with a more difficult decision.
Arsenal’s squad depth has allowed the manager to rotate extensively during the opening weeks of the campaign, as demonstrated by the heavily changed side used in the Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town.
Gyökeres remains part of those plans.
Potter’s message is that his current struggles should not be mistaken for a permanent decline.
The Sweden coach still views him as one of his country’s most important players and believes international football can provide the platform for him to rediscover his best form.
For Arsenal, that could make the international break particularly valuable.
A confident Gyökeres returning to north London would give Arteta another genuine attacking option as the fixture schedule intensifies.
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