Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal transfer news has taken a fresh turn around Viktor Gyökeres, with the January window now emerging as a possible escape opportunity for the Swedish hitman.
Multiple reports are suggesting that Gyökeres is unhappy with his reduced role under Mikel Arteta and has started considering a move when the winter window opens.
Who is interested in signing Gyokeres?
A report from Transferfeed.com says AC Milan have opened preliminary contact with his representatives to discuss the financial figures and whether a January deal can work. A loan with an option to buy at the end of the season has emerged as the proposed structure. Juventus have been linked too, although reports say the Italian club currently seem less enthusiastic.
TEAMtalk previously reported that Gyökeres’ representatives had spoken with AC Milan, Juventus and Saudi clubs while Arsenal were not actively seeking his departure. That report placed his Arsenal transfer cost at £63.5m including add-ons and noted his 21-goal return in all competitions during the 2025/26 title-winning campaign.
Gyokeres with 14 Premier League goals was a big reason why Arsenal won the title and he actually notched 21 goals across 50 appearances in all competitions. Those figures make his current lack of minutes surprising. The Swede has made five appearances this season, started once in the Carabao Cup and played 207 minutes with no goals.
Should the Gunners keep Viktor Gyökeres in January?
Arsenal shouldn’t rush into a permanent sale simply because Gyökeres has lost his starting place. His first season produced enough goals to show that he can deliver when the team gives him regular service, and the club paid a substantial fee for a striker who scored 21 times in his debut campaign. Selling after a difficult opening to 2026/27 could leave Arsenal with a weakened forward group if another striker doesn’t arrive and Havertz is out for an extended time, leaving Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd with less Arsenal firepower to worry about.
There is, however, a tactical argument behind Arteta’s preference for Kai Havertz. Arsenal have increasingly valued a centre-forward who can drop into midfield, link attacks and combine with the wide players. Gyökeres offers a different package. His biggest strengths come through directness, physical duels, pressing and movement into the box. Those qualities can punish open defences, particularly when Arsenal attack with pace.
The concern appears when opponents defend deep and force Arsenal to create through short combinations. Gyökeres can look less comfortable in those sequences, while Havertz offers more freedom to drift, connect passes and exchange positions. That difference matters in Arteta’s possession-heavy approach. Still, claims about a 64.27% passing rate or a fixed tactical incompatibility need caution unless a clear statistical source supports them.
For Arsenal, a January loan could provide a sensible middle ground if Gyökeres wants regular football. Milan could give him a fresh setting without forcing Arsenal into an immediate permanent decision. Yet the club would need firm conditions around minutes, finances and any purchase option.
That is crucial across a campaign, with injuries, suspensions and multiple competitions increasing Arsenal’s need for options. The key issue is timing. Arsenal can consider a departure only if they have another reliable centre-forward available. Otherwise, Arsenal transfer news around Gyökeres could become a story about squad depth rather than simply an unhappy striker.
Injuries will effect the future of Gyokeres
Arsenal will really miss Kai Havertz if he's sidelined for any significant period.
📈 Win rate with Havertz: 72.7%
📉 Win rate without Havertz: 52.4% pic.twitter.com/2mcpNpexu2
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 25, 2026
Kai Havertz was taken off by Jurgen Klopp after just 30mins in his 1st game in charge of his native Germany on his return to management against Holland in the Nations League on Thursday night.
We don’t know the grade of the injury yet but this instantly puts Viktor Gyokeres in the spotlight as surely Mikel Arteta will turn to the Swedish international to replace Havertz for Arsenal.
As we know Havertz has been endured an injury prone couple of seasons and we can only hope the injury is nothing too serious but it does not look good for Arteta. It is clear that Arsenal have a better record when Havertz plays so Arsenal will be hoping it is a minor injury. Recent Arsenal injury news had not been too bad but a problem with the German forward is serious.
Initial information indicates it is a hamstring strain with Havertz already back in North London getting treatment and will play no further minutes for Germany in this international break.
Mikel Merino can do a job for Arteta upfront and has improved from when he was first asked to step in as a makeshift striker 2 seasons ago before Gyokeres was signed but Arsenal need both players to deliver if Havertz is out for weeks or months.