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Gyokeres scores for Sweden, still looks miserable

Viktor Gyokeres got the minutes and the goal he needed for Sweden against Romania, but his reaction suggested there is still more to come from the Arsenal forward.

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)
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

Viktor Gyokeres scored the winner for Sweden against Romania on Friday evening, but the Arsenal forward still looked far from pleased.

With Kai Havertz fit this season, at least until his hamstring went while playing for Germany during the current international break, Gyokeres has found minutes and form hard to come by domestically.

He has played only 29 out of a possible 450 Premier League minutes and has totalled just 207 minutes across all competitions.

Given the stop-start nature of his involvement, it is perhaps unsurprising that he has yet to register a goal or assist for Arsenal this season and has generally looked frustrated when he has been on the pitch.

GIRONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 01: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal FC looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Girona FC and Arsenal FC at Montilivi Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Unlike for most other Arsenal players, the international break, therefore, was seen as a good thing for Gyokeres.

It is a chance for him to get minutes and find some sharpness.

On Friday he did just that.

Even though he found the back of the net in the 43rd minute to win the game 2-1 for his country, he still looked fairly miserable as he did his trademark celebration.

He finished the match as Player of the Match with the highest rating of any player on the pitch, 7.9.

Across 76 minutes, Gyokeres completed 15 of 16 passes, created another chance and scored with the only opportunity that came his way, although the media in Sweden described his performance as ‘edgy’ at times and criticised his finishing after a second half miss.

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