IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta is set to be forced into changes(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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When Viktor Gyokeres trudged off the pitch at Brighton, he must've thought that his Arsenal career was at its lowest ebb. No goals this season and no starts in the Premier League saw Gyokeres jet off to Sweden with his shoulders down.
But he'll be walking chest out when he steps off his flight to London next week after three goals - and counting - for his country. The striker broke his duck in Stockholm against Romania, sealed Sweden's win over Poland and then helped them earn a handy point away to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He'll no doubt be looking to cash in when Sweden play winless Romania again on Monday, but he'll also have one eye on making sure that he's fit for Saturday's clash with Leeds. That's because, as fate would have it, Kai Havertz is a major doubt for Arsenal's next fixture after suffering an injury for Germany.
The Gunners were then hit with another blow when Christos Tzolis went down in Greece's game on Thursday. It means that Arteta is likely to be forced into making two changes to his starting line-up against Leeds.
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Gyokeres has largely played second fiddle to Havertz this season, featuring in only five of Arsenal's seven games. Arteta clearly favours the German and his decision has been justified, with Havertz starting the campaign strongly by scoring three goals. But injury could curtail his good form.
In contrast, Gyokeres is just hitting his stride. His run of goals has seen him break a record by becoming the first player to score in six successive Nations League matches, stretching back to the 2024-25 edition.
Even Arsenal's next opponent is favourable for Gyokeres. The 28-year-old scored three times in two games against Leeds last season, including a brace on his home debut.
After the visit of Leeds, the games come thick and fast. Arsenal resume their Champions League campaign at home to Lille on October 13 before travelling to Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich over the following eight days.
Sweden's forward #17 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Nations League Group B4 football match between Sweden and Romania in Solna, Sweden on September 25, 2026. (Photo by Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres has found his shooting boots again on international duty(Image: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images)
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Gyokeres' situation is a reminder of how quickly things can change in football. A matter of weeks ago, the former Sporting Lisbon hitman was being tipped for the exit door.
A swap deal involving Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez was mooted but never materialised. Gyokeres, though, is 'extremely happy' to be at the Emirates.
"Of course, there was a lot of speculation," Gyokeres acknowledged earlier this week. "But I had a full pre-season, and it felt good. I was fully focused on Arsenal. For me, staying was a given. I'm extremely happy at the club.
"It's clear that I want to play football as much as possible. Hopefully that will come, too. You always want to be on the field as a football player. Of course, you expect more playing time, but we have an extremely good squad with a lot of good players and have been doing well here at the start."