New Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres faces immediate pressure. Following their 1-0 victory against Manchester United, reports indicate that forward Kai Havertz is sidelined with a knee injury, potentially for a significant period. While the exact severity of the 26-year-old`s injury is unknown, Arsenal`s activity in the transfer market for cover suggests a prolonged absence. This cover might not even be a striker, as The Athletic reports Arsenal is targeting Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze. Such a move would not only intensify the pressure on Gyokeres but also open up the possibility of Arsenal deploying striker-less formations until Havertz returns.
Expectations for Gyokeres were already high after his summer transfer from Sporting CP in a deal exceeding $75 million. However, these initial expectations were somewhat tempered by the understanding that Arsenal`s involvement in four competitions would allow for attacker rotation, positioning Gyokeres as one of several key contributors within a deep squad.
Unfortunately, Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained in January, with no set return date. This leaves Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino as the closest available options to a natural striker in Mikel Arteta`s squad, besides Gyokeres. While this might suffice against lower-tier Premier League teams like Burnley, the demands of the Champions League group stage, starting in September, will necessitate greater rotation. Even before Havertz`s injury, Arsenal needed more depth at the number nine position; now, their new star is under an even brighter spotlight.
In a way, the current situation validates Arsenal`s transfer strategy. Arsenal reportedly debated between Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who eventually joined Manchester United from RB Leipzig. Sesko is a younger, less refined talent, viewed more as an exciting long-term project than an immediate impact starter. Gyokeres, at 27, boasts a proven track record of prolific goal-scoring.
While Gyokeres took time to develop into a top forward, excelling at Coventry City before his move to Sporting CP propelled him into the conversation of elite global strikers, this consistent production should translate well at Arsenal. The Gunners don`t require Gyokeres to score 40 goals across all competitions—though they certainly wouldn`t object—because with talents like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, their attack is far from a one-man show.
Arsenal primarily needs Gyokeres to deliver in the Champions League and other cup competitions to help them clinch victories. Last season in the Champions League, Gyokeres scored six goals in eight matches for Sporting. Known for his physicality and quick scoring ability, Gyokeres immediately impressed Arsenal`s defenders. William Saliba commented on his new teammate, saying, “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 effectively contained. This is a crucial point, as the defenders Gyokeres will now face regularly are closer in quality to Saliba than those he dominated in Portugal.
While Arsenal hopes Gyokeres will step up, titles are won by production, not just hope. Gyokeres and Sesko weren`t Arsenal`s only considerations. Alexander Isak was also on their shortlist, but rather than paying an exorbitant fee, they deemed Gyokeres a solid investment, despite his lack of Premier League experience. Only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah have surpassed Isak`s 44 goals in the last two Premier League seasons, putting him in esteemed company. His expected goals (xG) tally of 40.89 is also third-best, and he contributed eight assists during the same period. There`s little reason to doubt that his production would remain, or even increase, at a club like Arsenal, given the caliber of players around him compared to being the primary threat at Newcastle United.
Given their initial squad depth, Arsenal`s decision to back Gyokeres, expecting he would have time to adapt to English top-flight football, and concluding Isak`s immediate Premier League experience wasn`t worth the cost, seemed reasonable. However, that depth has now vanished. After finishing second in three consecutive seasons, Arsenal urgently needs immediate output, and Gyokeres` adjustment period has effectively shrunk to zero.
How many games can Gyokeres realistically play?
Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting. While he didn`t score in his Arsenal debut, his mere presence already makes a difference. For a title-winning squad over the last decade, the top striker typically scores 22.5 league goals—a benchmark Gyokeres now needs to meet. With Havertz`s injury, the critical question also becomes how much rest he will be able to get.
Last season, Arsenal played 58 matches across all competitions. During his time at Sporting, Gyokeres participated in 50 and 52 games respectively, indicating he is accustomed to a heavy workload. However, as the primary striker for his clubs over the past four seasons, the cumulative minutes will add up. If his transition to the Premier League results in him missing time, compounded by Arsenal`s existing injury issues, the season could turn into a disaster before it even properly begins. This underscores why the club must diligently explore the transfer market to ensure adequate cover for all contingencies.
A Setback for Havertz
After a challenging start at Arsenal, Havertz significantly improved his productivity in the last two seasons, contributing 22 Premier League goals and 10 assists. He previously suffered a hamstring injury in the 2024-25 season that kept him out for three months near the season`s end, but generally, he has maintained good health throughout his career. Ending one season with an injury and starting the next with another is a considerable blow, especially as Havertz aims to secure his place in Germany`s squad for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Options to Cover for Havertz
It has been an expensive summer for the Gunners, spending over $260 million on transfers with minimal income from player sales, as only Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos generated significant transfer fees. This financial situation might deter a last-minute, unlikely swoop for Isak, although his deteriorating situation at Newcastle United could make an inquiry worthwhile. Like Gyokeres, Isak can also operate effectively from the left wing, suggesting the duo could coexist, even if it made a player like Gabriel Martinelli surplus to requirements. More realistic options could involve pursuing Nicolas Jackson, continuing the strong Chelsea-to-Arsenal player pipeline that already saw Noni Madueke join this summer.
Internally, Trossard offers versatility across the attacking line or as an attacking midfielder, while Mikel Merino`s performances as a makeshift striker have been commendable. In 12 games as a center forward, Merino scored six goals and provided three assists, compared to three goals and two assists from midfield. This included two goals and three assists in the Champions League. His goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals demonstrated his capability to lead the line, but Arsenal will be cautious not to over-rely on a player who is primarily a midfielder. Mikel Arteta faces a delicate balancing act in replacing Havertz, but if Gyokeres can make an immediate impact, it will significantly mitigate the impact of Havertz`s latest injury.
Should Arsenal successfully acquire Eze, it would not only improve lineups requiring a midfielder in a central attacking role but also add another creative presence alongside Saka and Odegaard. When facing defensively deep teams, increased creativity is always beneficial, as it prevents opponents from focusing solely on specific players. While signing Eze remains a risk for the Gunners, if Gyokeres delivers the expected goals, it will undoubtedly prove a worthwhile gamble.
