Viktor Gyökeres was handed his first Arsenal start of the season in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Napoli, but there’s apparently been rumbling behind-the-scenes.
The Swede previously watched Gunners teammate Kai Havertz begin all three of their Premier League matches, but to be fair, there’s a good reason for that.
Havertz made himself difficult to drop, scoring in their victory over Chelsea and playing an important role in Martin Odegaard’s winner as Arsenal maintained their perfect domestic start.
Gyokeres had only been introduced late in that game. Before the trip to Italy, he had spent most of the opening weeks on the bench as Mikel Arteta continued to favour Havertz’s movement and link play.
That was an unexpected position for a player who finished his first Arsenal campaign as the club’s leading scorer, with 21 goals for Gyokeres across all competitions last season, including 14 in the Premier League.
|
Viktor Gyökeres’ 2025/26 Arsenal stats |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Competition |
Apps |
Starts |
Sub apps |
Subbed off |
Goals |
Assists |
G+A |
Penalty goals |
|
Premier League |
36 |
26 |
10 |
16 |
14 |
1 |
15 |
3 |
|
Champions League |
13 |
11 |
2 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
|
EFL Cup |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
FA Cup |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
All competitions |
55 |
40 |
15 |
26 |
21 |
3 |
24 |
4 |
Those goals helped Arsenal win the title, making the events of the summer particularly surprising.
Arsenal made Julian Alvarez one of their leading attacking targets and held discussions with Atlético Madrid over a possible deal.
Several packages were explored, and one reported option would have seen Arsenal send money and Gyokeres to Madrid in exchange for the Argentina international.
Ben Jacobs later reported that Atlético liked Gyokeres, but their need for another striker depended upon Alvarez leaving. The former Man City forward ultimately remained in Spain after Arsenal failed to find an agreement.
Alvarez’s preference for Barcelona made Arsenal’s task more difficult, while Atletico were determined not to strengthen a direct La Liga rival.
The complicated situation ended with both strikers staying at their clubs.
Piers Morgan makes unhappy Viktor Gyokeres claim after Arsenal decision
Piers Morgan has now made a dramatic claim about what was happening behind the scenes at Arsenal while those discussions were taking place.
Speaking on his show Football Uncensored, Morgan explained to Graeme Souness and Simon Jordan that Gyokeres feels unfairly treated after being ‘deliberately benched’ while Arsenal were trying to swap him for Alvarez.
“I was told on good authority that he was being deliberately benched because Arsenal were going to try and trade him for Julian Alvarez.
“In the end they couldn’t make that deal happen. That Gyokeres is p*****d off about the way he’s been treated, that he feels he’s being disrespected, that is, I think, undeniable.
“I also think it shows the ruthless streak to Arteta, which many Arsenal fans will be quite happy to see.”
That remains an unconfirmed allegation, and there was also a clear football case for keeping Havertz in the team.
Arsenal won their opening three league games, while the Germany international was one of their best players against Chelsea.
However, the timing of Gyokeres’ spell on the bench inevitably created questions. The window remained open during Arsenal’s first two matches and reports about the proposed Alvarez package were circulating at the same time.
Starting Gyokeres in Naples could now be Arteta’s first step towards drawing a line under the saga.
The striker is under contract until 2030 and Arsenal have little reason to force a quick decision. He was their top scorer during a title-winning season and still offers a more direct threat than Havertz.
Morgan’s information could increase the scrutiny around future team selections, and if Gyokeres quickly returns to the bench, questions about his relationship with Arteta may re-appear.
For now, the failed Alvarez deal has left Arsenal with two established centre forwards, but it is up to Gyokeres to make sure Arteta sees that as a strength rather than unfinished transfer business.
