Viktor Gyökeres has broken his silence on his Arsenal future amid growing speculation about his situation at the club after losing his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
The Swedish striker has made it clear that he remains happy at Arsenal and has no intention of pushing for an immediate departure despite reports suggesting that his limited playing time could lead to questions about his future.
According to football london, Gyökeres admitted, however, that he wants to play more regularly and is determined to fight for his place in Arteta’s team.
The 28-year-old joined Arsenal from Sporting CP and enjoyed an impressive first campaign in north London, scoring 21 goals across all competitions as the Gunners ended their long wait for the Premier League title.
However, the beginning of the 2026/27 season has presented a different challenge for the Swedish international.
Gyökeres Confirms He Is Happy at Arsenal
Speaking about his future, Gyökeres dismissed suggestions that he is unhappy at Arsenal or actively looking for a move away from the club.
The striker explained that remaining at Arsenal was always his intention.
“For me, staying was a given. I’m extremely happy at the club,” Gyökeres said.
His comments will provide encouragement to Arsenal supporters who have been concerned by reports surrounding his future.
The striker has only been at Arsenal for a relatively short period, and his first season showed why the club invested heavily in bringing him to north London.
Rather than considering an exit, Gyökeres appears focused on improving his performances and competing for his position.
Gyökeres Wants More Playing Time
While the striker insists that he is happy at Arsenal, he has also made it clear that he wants more opportunities on the pitch.
“It’s clear that I want to play football as much as possible. You always want to be on the field as a football player,” he said.
The comments underline the competitive situation within Arsenal’s attack.
Gyökeres is accustomed to being an important attacking player, particularly after his prolific spell at Sporting CP and his successful first season with Arsenal.
His limited involvement at the start of the new campaign is therefore a significant change.
Kai Havertz Ahead of Gyökeres
One of the biggest talking points has been Arteta’s decision to use Kai Havertz ahead of Gyökeres.
Havertz offers Arsenal a different type of centre-forward option. His movement, physical presence, link-up play and ability to contribute outside the penalty area have made him an important part of Arteta’s tactical plans.
Gyökeres, meanwhile, offers a more direct attacking threat.
The Swedish striker is particularly dangerous when attacking space and driving towards goal. His physical strength and ability to carry the ball also provide Arsenal with an alternative attacking dimension.
The competition between the two forwards gives Arteta different tactical options.
However, Gyökeres will naturally want to turn those options into more starts.
Gyökeres Has Already Proved His Goalscoring Ability
The biggest argument surrounding the striker is his record from last season.
Gyökeres scored 21 goals in all competitions during his first campaign at Arsenal.
He also scored 14 Premier League goals, demonstrating that he can produce in the English top flight.
That record makes his current lack of Premier League starts particularly interesting.
The striker has so far had limited opportunities to establish himself during the opening stages of the 2026/27 campaign.
Rather than judging his current season based on a small number of appearances, Arsenal could potentially benefit from giving him a longer run of matches.
International Form Gives Gyökeres Confidence
Gyökeres has also continued to demonstrate his goalscoring ability while representing Sweden.
His international performances have provided another reminder of the qualities that made Arsenal sign him.
Scoring goals can be important for a striker’s confidence, particularly when competing for a starting position at club level.
Gyökeres will now return to Arsenal determined to use his international form to strengthen his case for more minutes.
Should Arteta Give Gyökeres More Minutes?
The question for Arsenal supporters is whether Arteta should increase Gyökeres’ playing time.
There is a strong statistical argument for giving the striker more opportunities based on his 21-goal debut season.
At the same time, Arteta has to consider the overall tactical balance of the team rather than goalscoring numbers alone.
Havertz’s ability to link play and contribute in different areas of the pitch remains an important part of the manager’s decision-making.
The solution could therefore be greater rotation rather than permanently choosing one striker over the other.
Giving Gyökeres longer spells on the pitch would allow Arteta to assess how effectively he can perform within the team’s current tactical structure.
It could also increase competition for the centre-forward position.
Gyökeres’ Arsenal Future Remains in His Own Hands
For now, Gyökeres’ latest comments suggest that there is no immediate desire from the player to leave Arsenal.
His message is clear: he is happy at the club, but he wants to play.
That puts the focus firmly on his performances and Arteta’s team selection.
If Gyökeres can continue scoring for Sweden and reproduce his best Arsenal form when given opportunities, the competition for the starting position could become even more interesting.
The striker now has an opportunity to remind Arsenal supporters why the club brought him to the Emirates in the first place.
With a Premier League title already secured during his first season and 21 goals to his name, Gyökeres has shown that he can make a significant contribution.
The next challenge is earning Arteta’s trust and securing more regular minutes.
For Arsenal, having two quality options competing for the centre-forward position could ultimately provide another attacking dimension as the season progresses.
Should Mikel Arteta give Viktor Gyökeres more minutes? Arsenal supporters will be watching closely when the Gunners return to Premier League action.
