Viktor Gyokeres' week has gone from bad to worse after the injured star was compared with one Manchester United signing, while an ex-Arsenal star is back training with his old club
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal gestures during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor
Viktor Gyokeres isn't doing as well as a certain Man United striker, according to Liverpool legend, Didi Hamann
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A busy few days at Arsenal has seen Mikel Arteta both lose and gain squad members in the wake of Viktor Gyokeres' injury. The Swede was hurt after scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win over Burnley, and to make matters worse, he's now been ranked behind one of his rival Premier League summer signings.
It's not all doom and gloom at the Emirates, however, after a familiar face reunited with Mikel Arteta this week. A star signed during the Arsene Wenger years rocked up at his old stomping ground after finding himself without a club.
Elsewhere, Leandro Trossard has revealed part of the inspiration behind his impressive season and one team-mate who has helped make it happen. Mirror Football breaks down the latest happenings in north London making headlines today.
Gyokeres second fiddle to United signing
Despite ending his Premier League goal drought at Turf Moor, Gyokeres hasn't impressed a certain Liverpool icon as much as Benjamin Sesko. Both strikers were under consideration by Arsenal and eventually moved to England in the summer - but have endured their respective struggles since then.
Gyokeres, 27, improved his tally to four goals in 10 Premier League outings by bagging the breakthrough against Burnley. Manchester United frontman Sesko has half the goal count after bagging just twice in 10 league appearances under Ruben Amorim, but he's still made more of an impression on Didi Hamann, who included Newcastle arrival Nick Woltemade in his comparison.
"I think the club that will be creating the most chances will be Arsenal, and so that probably puts Gyokeres ahead of the other two, Woltemade and Sesko," the 2005 Champions League-winner told footballblog.co.uk. "Of the three players, I think that Sesko and Woltemade have impressed me more than Gyokeres.
"If Woltemade is the regular penalty taker for Newcastle from now until the end of the season, then I think I will put Woltemade down as the player to score the most out of those three this season.
"I think Sesko found it hard at first because it’s a different game in England compared to Germany. But he’s a very talented player. He was always very confident and he’s got a lot of belief in his ability. But then when you come to a club where things are not great, it’s difficult for a striker."
Former Stuttgart star Woltemade has undoubtedly made the smoothest transition after scoring four in seven Premier League games for Newcastle. And while many an Arsenal fan will likely be perplexed by Hamann's appraisal of their star, the onus is on Gyokeres to disprove his theory.
Oxlade-Chamberlain reunites with Arteta
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attends a training session of Arsenal FC ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and SK Slavia Praha at Sobha Realty Training Centre
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back training at Arsenal as he hopes to attract a new club
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The Gunners have a familiar face back in training this week in a reunion few saw coming. Or at least Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be known to Arteta considering the pair shared a dressing room during their time together under Wenger.
After being released by Besiktas at the end of last season, Oxlade-Chamberlain is still yet to find a new club and is free to sign with anyone. However, he turned back to his old employer for a chance to get up to match fitness following his recent hiatus.
The 32-year-old, who was linked with Championship side Birmingham City in the summer, is understood to be training primarily with the youth teams at London Colney as he improves his fitness. And Arteta had nothing but praise for the player, suggesting the ex-England international's arrival may benefit his squad, too.
"Top. Top character," said the manager when asked for his reaction to Oxlade-Chamberlain's request this week. "One of the best characters I’ve met in football. If we can help him and give him the space for him to get up to speed and have the capacity to find a club.
"It’s a joy, the boys will learn from it. I had the privilege to play with him, and if he is around, he will be a really good role model to have around the team."
Trossard hails Calafiori chemistry
Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring the 3rd Arsenal goal with ((L) Gabriel and (2ndL) Riccardo Calafiori during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City
Leandro Trossard has struck up a stunning partnership with Riccardo Calafiori
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Arsenal fans will be even more glad to have seen Trossard sign a new contract in the summer following a flowing start to this season. In light of injuries to the likes of Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, he has been a big contributor, whether that be as a starter or off the bench.
But the Belgian's tally of three goals and three assists in 12 games this season wasn't all his own doing. And Trossard has credited Riccardo Calafiori with being a big help down his left wing, developing an almost telepathic connection between the two.
Calafiori has been one of Arteta's best players so far this season and was nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Month award in August. And Trossard recognised his input with a telling testament this week.
Asked whether he's ever played with a full-back like Italy international Calafiori, Trossard said: "No, that’s Riccy, though. I think that’s one of his strengths as well. He pops up everywhere, in the pockets as a striker.
"He has scored some great goals already. So I think that his unpredictability can hurt teams as well, and I have a good relationship with him at the moment.
"So I know what he can do and where he can pop up in what positions. So sometimes I can play a ball blind to him, and I know he will be there."
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