VIKTOR GYOKERES was signed by Arsenal to be the man who would fire them to the Premier League title.
But as the Gunners begin the defence of their crown, it is hard to escape the feeling that the Swede’s role may be changing.
Viktor Gyokeres did not feature for Arsenal against Coventry Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Arsenal want to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid Credit: Getty
Mikel Arteta’s side have started this season on fire and claimed 3-0 wins in their opening two games.
But Gyokeres played just 15 minutes in the Community Shield against Manchester City and he did not get a kick during their Prem opener against Coventry.
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Kai Havertz got the nod ahead of him on both occasions and will expect to keep his place for Monday’s trip to Aston Villa.
That must be tough for Gyokeres to take as for much of last season he was the leading man, yet now it feels like the 28-year-old is part of the support cast.
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It is hard to argue against Arteta backing Havertz, though, given how he has started the season.
The forward scored in the Community Shield win over City and followed that up with another goal against the Sky Blues.
There is also the fact that Arsenal’s attack just seems to flow so much better when Havertz is at the tip of it.
His link-up play brings others into the game and it is noticeable how much Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard — who also scored against Coventry — look better when 27-year-old Havertz is the team’s No 9.
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But that will not make things any easier for Gyokeres to swallow.
And for all the joy that comes with the Gunners’ forward line looking so dangerous, there is an awkward question that accompanies it: What does it mean for Gyokeres?
There were hints last season that Arteta’s preferred attack would have Havertz at the heart of it.
For Arsenal’s huge trip to Manchester City in April, it was the German who led the line, and netted.
That was also the case for the final home game of the season against Burnley and the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, with Havertz scoring in both of those big matches.
Mentally, that must be hard for Gyokeres to process.
Just over a year ago, the Swede arrived at the Emirates in a £63.5million deal as the superstar who would fire Arsenal to a first title in 22 years.
The striker took Thierry Henry’s famous No 14 shirt, not worried about the pressure that comes with it, and will argue that he delivered on his promise.
Gyokeres was Arsenal’s top scorer last season with 21 goals as they ended the season with a first title since 2004. Now, though, it is hard to shake the sense that Havertz will be the main man this term.
Or, at best for Gyokeres, that Arteta will take a ‘horses for courses approach’ and pick each striker depending on opposition.
Villa’s high and leaky defence — as shown in their opening 4-0 defeat at Brighton — could play into Gyokeres’ hands.
But even with that, it is difficult to ignore the fact that in the biggest games Arteta will likely turn to Havertz to be his No 9.
And then there is the added element of the Gunners pursuing an audacious swoop for Julian Alvarez, which is why you would love to have a penny for Gyokeres’ thoughts.
A deal for the Argentine striker looks very hard to do as Atletico Madrid do not want to sell and, if he were to leave, his preferred destination would be Barcelona.
Nonetheless, that has not stopped people talking about what he would bring to Arsenal and, in turn, overlooking what Gyokeres offers.
Speaking on Sky Sports after last week’s win over Coventry, former England defender Gary Neville said: “If Arsenal could get Alvarez somehow, that is going to light this place up.
Alvarez would prefer to move to Barcelona Credit: Reuters
Kai Havertz has taken the starting role so far this season Credit: Getty
“They’d become not just Premier League title winners, but you’re then thinking that they can go that extra step and win the Champions League as well.
“I’m being respectful to Havertz and Gyokeres, but if there was an Ian Wright up front for Arsenal who made those little runs all the time, Odegaard would be even better.”
That noise will die down when the transfer window shuts on Tuesday, and patience feels key for Gyokeres right now.
The striker is known for having a strong mentality and certainly seemed unfazed last week, chatting with his former Coventry team-mates before heading home.
Arteta also confirmed at the start of this month that the Swede will be staying, and last season showed how there are more than enough games to go around.
But playing just 15 minutes across Arsenal’s opening two matches — when they scored six goals — is always going to get people talking.
Gyokeres’ challenge will be, not for the first time, to prove the doubters wrong.
And, having come through plenty of tough times on his road to the top, the striker will back himself to still have a big role this season.
