Viktor Gyokeres #17 of Sweden looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 202...
Viktor Gyokeres #17 of Sweden looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres has admitted he’d like to be playing more with Arsenal, but that he expects to get plenty of chances before the season is done.
Viktor Gyokeres #17 of Sweden scores his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres #17 of Sweden scores his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres perhaps hasn’t had the start he would’ve hoped for in 2026/27, making the starting lineup just twice for the Gunners in eight games, and failing to score or assist in his five appearances.
Things have been looking up on international duty so far, with Gyokeres scoring the winner in Sweden’s Nations League game against Romania last week.
Gyokeres will likely make the starting lineup again for their match against Poland on Monday night and throughout the rest of the break, considering Liverpool’s Alexander Isak is out injured.
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The player himself has suggested his increased minutes with Sweden are no bad thing, as he would have liked to be involved more often with Arsenal so far.
“I haven’t played much, but I’ve had a few games,” Gyokeres said. “It has felt quite okay then, but it is clear that you want to play football. You always want to be on the pitch as a footballer, that’s the way it is.
“I obviously need to do better and I’m willing to do it, so there’s no problem.
“If you do well, you get accolades and if you don’t score as a striker and perform as they expect, of course there will be criticism. It goes up and down, so it is for all footballers. That’s normal.”
Kai Havertz of Germany reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 24, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Kai Havertz of Germany reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 24, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Arsenal are obviously sweating on Kai Havertz’s fitness at the moment, with Mikel Arteta’s starting striker picking up an injury on international duty with Germany.
If Havertz is out for any serious length of time, that would presumably offer Gyokeres an opportunity in the starting lineup. But the striker claims he has no mixed feelings about his teammate’s injury status.
“I hope it’s nothing serious because he’s an important player for us,” Gyokeres insisted. “We need all the players because it’s a long season and a lot of games. I think everyone will play enough football when the season is over.”
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz travelling to Girona (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Criticised Arsenal 28yo admits he wants to earn more starts