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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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