Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is once again forced into playing without a natural striking option following Viktor Gyokeres’ injury, and while the early signs have been fairly positive that it’s nothing too serious, supporters could have reason to be slightly worried.
Gyokeres is currently undergoing scans on the problem as the north Londoners await results of more definitive testing.
The Sweden international, who was left out of Graham Potter’s national team squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia this month, missed Arsenal’s 3-0 win away to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday after being hauled off against Burnley last weekend.
Mikel Merino, who has scored 11 goals in all competitions this calendar year, deputised as a makeshift number nine once again to great effect as the Spaniard’s brace helped to clinch all three points in the Czech Republic.
However, Arteta won’t want to rely on Merino for an overly extensive period as he did last season, despite the midfielder’s excellent performances up top, as Arsenal’s manager has been adamant that Gyokeres makes his side even more unpredictable.
“All of us [appreciate Gyokeres] because he makes us a much better team. I think we’ve become much more unpredictable,” Arteta said after Gyokeres’ brace downed Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
“He’s so physical, opens the spaces for everyone. The way he presses the ball and holds the ball is just phenomenal.”
This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Gyokeres personally, as the £55 million summer signing was just hitting a good run of form with three goals in his last three games — just after the centre-forward went seven matches without scoring in all competitions.
Viktor Gyokeres’ best games for Arsenal in the Premier League
Match Rating
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United
8.84
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
7.97
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
7.68
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
6.69
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
6.68
via WhoScored
The former Sporting CP star, according to insider Hand of Arsenal and other reliable sources this week, is expected back in time for Arsenal’s crunch North London derby clash against Tottenham near the end of this month — which will come as music to the ears of fans.
Journalist explains why he’s worried for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
That being said, Arteta has still admitted that he’s quite concerned, potentially suggesting the aforementioned timeframe isn’t set in stone as Gyokeres awaits further test results.
“I am concerned. Because he hasn’t had many muscular issues, and he needed to leave the pitch and he was feeling something,” Arteta explained in a press conference this week.
“It’s never a good sign for a player who is explosive. We are digging in a little bit more to understand the extent and where we are in terms of the injury.”
Taking this into account, journalist Charles Watts has told Sports Mole that he’s still “worried” about Gyokeres’ condition and Arsenal face a “massive blow” if it is indeed hamstring-related.
“It’s a massive blow, no doubt about it,” Watts explained.
“I was a little bit worried after Mikel’s comments in the press conference — he didn’t exactly paint a rosy picture. I was hoping to get some quite positive news. It didn’t exactly fill me with confidence what Mikel had to say.
“I’ve heard a couple of things, but nothing that I could say definitely in terms of what it is. But when he’s talking about him being such an explosive player, immediately your head’s thinking hamstring. And that would just be a massive blow.
“The fact that it happens just as Kai is about to come back is even more disappointing. If Gyokeres is out for any significant amount of time, then suddenly Havertz is going to have to be thrown straight back in. You can’t ease him in because there’s no other option at the moment. So that would be really disappointing.”
Once Gyokeres does return to full fitness, which Arteta hopes will be in time for Tottenham, it is also imperative that the striker isn’t rushed back unnecessarily.
His readiness to be thrust straight back into action will be key and Arsenal won’t be keen on taking any chances, especially after their plethora of attacking injuries lately.
