Viktor Gyokeres' time at Arsenal has been scrutinised, with a comment being made about his Gunners future
Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal seen during UEFA Champions League 2026/2027 match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Final score Bayern Munich 2 : 2 Arsenal.
Arsenal suffered defeat against Fleetwood Town(Image: SOPA Images, SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Sunday's trip to Liverpool offers Arsenal an opportunity to respond to a gruelling midweek cup exit.
The Premier League champions head to Anfield level on points with leaders Manchester City, but their preparations have been overshadowed by a shock Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town. Viktor Gyokeres scored the equaliser against the struggling League Two side on Tuesday night, only for the Gunners to lose on penalties.
Max Dowman's late dismissal added to their frustration, with Arsenal appealing the decision after Mikel Arteta appeared visibly angry with the 16-year-old as he left the pitch. Arteta must now turn his attention back to the title race, with a demanding away fixture providing an immediate test of his side's mentality and fitness levels.
Away from the pitch, Gyokeres' role in the squad and Arsenal's reported interest in Paris Saint-Germain attacker Desire Doue have also come into focus. Here is the latest on both players.
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READ MORE: Mikel Arteta proved he's no Pep Guardiola with behaviour in Fleetwood tunnel
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Gyokeres handed transfer verdict
Former Premier League striker Emile Heskey has delivered an honest assessment of Gyokeres' time at Arsenal, saying things have not gone to plan for the Swede. The striker arrived in the summer of 2025 for £64m, with expectations that he would become the clinical No.9 the Gunners had long required.
Despite finishing as their leading scorer in last season's title-winning campaign, Gyokeres has struggled to impose himself in matches and has dropped behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order this term. The 28-year-old has scored just once in 11 appearances this season, most of them from the bench.
However, Heskey believes Arteta should not sell him, insisting Gyokeres remains a valuable squad member. Discussing Arteta's attacking options, the 48-year-old told football.london: "I like Havertz's movement and what he brings to this Arsenal team. I watched him when he was at Chelsea, and I liked his movement, his link-up play and everything about his game.
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium on October 27, 2026 in Fleetwood, England.
Gyokeres has endured a miserable start to the season(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
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"Gyokeres is a little bit different to the way that Arsenal want to play; he's not that brilliant at holding the ball up and bringing in others; he prefers to play on the shoulder and run into space, but that space comes at a premium in the Premier League.
"I was hoping it would work out for him, but you can see why it hasn't. He's more of an old-school type of centre-forward. I wouldn't tell Arsenal to cut their losses, because you're always going to need a backup with the number of games they will play, and you always need a player that gives you that versatility to play against a different sort of style."
Heskey continued: "I definitely wouldn't say cut your losses, but I can't see him being a regular, if I'm honest."
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Desire Doue decision made
PSG's French forward #14 Desire Doue celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League first round day 3 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on October 20, 2026. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty Images)
Desire Doue is set to stay at PSG(Image: JULIEN DE ROSA, AFP via Getty Images)
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Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly closing in on a new contract for Desire Doue. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were said to have held faint hopes of signing the Frenchman, but those prospects appear to have faded as talks over an extension reach an advanced stage.
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal have been tracking the 21-year-old as they assess potential attacking additions for future transfer windows. His current deal runs until 2029, and the Gunners reportedly made enquiries earlier this year to establish his situation. They were told Doue had no intention of leaving PSG and was ready to commit his future to the club.
Doue has thrived under Luis Enrique since joining from Rennes in 2024. He has become a key member of PSG's star-studded attack, helping the club win the Champions League in two successive seasons.