Following Arsenal`s narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United, new striker Viktor Gyokeres faces an immediate and intense challenge. Reports indicate that forward Kai Havertz has sustained a knee injury, potentially sidelining him for an extended period. While the full extent of Havertz`s injury remains unclear, Arsenal`s exploration of the transfer market for cover, specifically targeting attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace rather than a striker, suggests a significant absence. This not only escalates the pressure on Gyokeres but also hints at Arsenal potentially employing striker-less formations until Havertz`s return.
Expectations for Gyokeres were already high after his summer transfer from Sporting CP for over $75 million. Initially, he was envisioned as part of a rotational attacking squad, given Arsenal`s participation in four competitions. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically.
With Gabriel Jesus still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in January and no clear return date, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino are now the primary alternatives to Gyokeres in Mikel Arteta`s squad. While this might suffice against lower-tier Premier League teams, the Champions League group stage commencing in September will demand greater rotation. Even before Havertz`s injury, Arsenal needed more depth at the number nine position; now, all eyes are firmly on their new star.
In a way, the current situation validates Arsenal`s transfer strategy. The club reportedly deliberated between Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who eventually joined Manchester United from RB Leipzig. Sesko, being younger and less refined, was considered more of a long-term prospect. In contrast, 27-year-old Gyokeres boasts a proven goal-scoring record, making him an immediate impact player.
While it took time for Gyokeres to develop into a top-tier forward, excelling at Coventry City before his move to Sporting CP propelled him into elite conversations, his production is expected to translate well to Arsenal. The Gunners don`t necessarily need him to score 40 goals across all competitions—though it would be welcomed—as their attack, featuring talents like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, is not a one-man show.
Gyokeres`s primary contribution is anticipated in the Champions League and other cup competitions. Last season, he netted six goals in eight UCL matches for Sporting. Known for his physicality and quick scoring ability, Gyokeres has already impressed Arsenal`s defenders. William Saliba commented on his new teammate: “It’s scary to play against him. When you face a striker who scores goals, you have to be focused! But now he’s in our team and he will score for us, so that’s good.”
Although Arsenal defeated Sporting 5-1 last November in the Champions League, Gyokeres did create chances that Saliba and Gabriel skillfully dealt with. This highlights an important point: the caliber of defenders Gyokeres will now face in the Premier League is significantly higher, akin to Saliba`s level, unlike many he encountered in Portugal.
While Arsenal hoped Gyokeres would step up, titles are won by production, not just hope. Gyokeres and Sesko weren`t the only options; Alexander Isak was also on Arsenal`s radar. However, rather than paying what seemed like an exorbitant fee for Isak, Arsenal opted for Gyokeres, viewing him as a solid bet despite his lack of Premier League experience. Isak`s impressive record of 44 goals over the past two Premier League seasons, surpassed only by Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, and his 40.89 expected goals tally (third best), along with eight assists, demonstrates his high-level output. At a club like Arsenal, surrounded by more talent than at Newcastle United, there`s every reason to believe his production could maintain or even increase.
Given their initial squad depth, it was reasonable for Arsenal to gamble on Gyokeres, allowing him time to adapt to English top-flight football, concluding that Isak`s immediate Premier League experience wasn`t worth the price tag. However, that depth has now vanished. After finishing second in three consecutive seasons, Arsenal desperately needs immediate production, and Gyokeres`s adjustment period has effectively shrunk to zero.
How Many Games Can Gyokeres Play?
Gyokeres scored an impressive 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting. While he didn`t score on his Arsenal debut, his presence is already felt. In a title-winning squad over the last decade, the top striker has typically netted around 22.5 league goals—a benchmark Gyokeres now needs to meet. With Havertz injured, the crucial question becomes how much rest Gyokeres will realistically receive.
Arsenal played 58 matches last season. Gyokeres, during his time at Sporting, featured in 50 and 52 games respectively, demonstrating his capability for a high workload. However, being the primary striker for his clubs over the past four seasons means the minutes will accumulate significantly. If entering the Premier League results in Gyokeres missing time alongside Arsenal`s existing absentees, the season could turn disastrous before it even truly begins. This underscores the team`s need for diligent transfer market activity to ensure adequate cover for all contingencies.
A Setback for Havertz
After a challenging start at Arsenal, Havertz had become significantly more productive in the last two seasons, contributing 22 Premier League goals and 10 assists. While he suffered a hamstring injury in the 2024-25 season that kept him out for three months, he has generally maintained good health throughout his career. Starting a new campaign with an injury, immediately after ending the previous one similarly, is a considerable setback, especially as Havertz aims to secure his place in Germany`s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Replacing Havertz: Available Options
Arsenal has spent over $260 million on transfers this summer with minimal income from player sales, with only Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos generating revenue. This financial context makes a last-minute move for Isak highly improbable, despite his increasingly difficult situation at Newcastle United. Like Gyokeres, Isak can operate effectively from the left wing, suggesting the two could coexist, albeit potentially making a player like Gabriel Martinelli surplus. More realistic options might include pursuing Nicolas Jackson, continuing a recent trend of transfers between Chelsea and Arsenal, which saw Noni Madueke join Arsenal this summer.
Internally, Leandro Trossard is versatile enough to play across the attacking line or as an attacking midfielder, while Mikel Merino has admirably filled in as a striker. In 12 games as a central forward, Merino scored six goals and assisted three, compared to three goals and two assists from midfield, including two Champions League goals and three assists. His goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals demonstrated his capability to lead the line. However, Arsenal won`t want to over-rely on a player who is primarily a midfielder. Finding the right balance to replace Havertz is challenging for Arteta, but if Gyokeres can make an immediate impact, the blow from Havertz`s injury will be significantly softened.
The potential addition of Eze would not only enhance lineups where a midfielder might otherwise be forced into a central forward role but would also introduce another creative force alongside Saka and Odegaard. When facing teams that defend deep, increased creativity allows Arsenal to avoid being predictable and lessens the ability of opponents to target specific players. While this strategy carries a degree of risk for the Gunners, if Gyokeres delivers the expected goals, it will undoubtedly prove a worthwhile gamble.
