So far this season, Viktor Gyökeres has made a total of five appearances across all competitions for Arsenal, having yet to tally a goal or assist for his club.
Mikel Arteta has shown a clear preference to starting Kai Havertz as his most advanced player and the German has clocked a total of 530 minutes across all competitions this season to Gyökeres' 207. Likewise, Havertz has tallied seven goals and three assists and has clearly cemented himself as Arteta's go-to starter in what could be described as a false nine, central forward, or outright striker depending on who you'd ask.
Once club football resumes after the international break, Arteta will be looking to shake off the frustration from the 3-0 loss at high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion just prior to the break starting. That was the Gunners' first slip-up of the season, albeit a significant one that saw them concede top spot in the Premier League to Manchester City, who've maintained a perfect record thus far.
Should Arteta Play Gyökeres More?
Havertz had to leave Germany's camp early after sustaining a hamstring injury during the 1-1 Nations League draw vs. the Netherlands in Amsterdam and there's concern that he could face a spell on the sidelines for Arsenal. The club is remaining hopeful the hamstring problem isn't anything too serious and they're hopeful to see return sof Ben White, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice after the international break.
While Havertz had to leave Germany's camp early in Jürgen Klopp's first set of matches in charge of Die Mannschaft, Gyökeres' time with Sweden has been a bit different. The striker scored in Sweden's 2-1 over Romania as well as the 3-1 win against Poland, having started both matches.
Given Havertz's potential injury status, Gyökeres has given Arteta something to ponder. Is it time for the Swede to get a run of starts for Arsenal? There's a considerable amount of Arsenal fans suggesting that Arteta should definitely be giving the striker more minutes.
Arsenal Fans Implore Arteta To Play Gyökeres More
After his winner in the Nations League match against Romania, Gyökeres alluded to the fact that he knows he wants to be playing more minutes for Arsenal.
"I haven’t played a lot, but I’ve had a few games. It’s felt okay then, but it’s clear that I want to play football and as much as possible. Hopefully that will come, too," he told Fotbollskanalen (via @DailyAFC).
It's clear that Arsenal fans want to see more of him as one fan wrote:
"This is all Arsenal wingers and midfielders need to do. Feed your striker and leave him to do the rest. I can't remember the last time any Arsenal player created such chances for Gyökeres. Fix up, Mikel. We have an elite goalscorer on our hands."
Another supporter added: "Gyökeres showing Arteta why he deserves to start at Arsenal."
One said: "I feel like there's something wrong with Arsenal's style of play when it comes to attacking football. I just take a look at Viktor Gyökeres in this Sweden team, so clinical in front of goal. Arsenal should fix their attack."
Another added: "Gyökeres is clinical for Sweden every single time he steps on the pitch, yet he looks like a completely different player at Arsenal. It's frustrating to watch and honestly, Arteta's system feels like the root cause of his struggles. He deserves better, to be fair."
The anticipated lengthy spell on the sidelines for Havertz combined with Arsenal's packed fixtures list after the international break concludes could offer the perfect opportunity for Arteta to give Gyökeres the minutes Arsenal fans are clamoring for.
He's in fine form for Sweden and will have every bit of confidence he can carry that form back to North London as Arsenal look to get back into the top spot of the Premier League ahead of the next international break.
