Arsenal's Shocking Decision to Bench Viktor Gyokeres Against Man Utd Sends Ripples Through Football World

Viktor Gyökeres's debut season at Arsenal was bound to face intense examination, and the spotlight on the Swedish striker will only grow brighter following Mikel Arteta's decision to keep him on the substitutes' bench for the Manchester United fixture.

The 27-year-old forward attracted interest from numerous top European clubs throughout the transfer window, but following an extended and complicated transfer process—during which Gyökeres criticized his previous club Sporting CP for allegedly breaking their promises—Arsenal ultimately secured his services for an upfront fee of £55 million with additional performance-related bonuses worth £8.5 million ($84.6 million).

Given such a substantial investment, expectations were high for Gyökeres to make an immediate impact in north London, establishing himself as Arteta's primary striker and spearheading their quest for a first Premier League championship in over two decades.

While that objective remains achievable, with Arsenal maintaining a four-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City before facing their traditional adversaries United, Gyökeres's contribution has been disappointingly modest.

Arsenal Confirmed Lineup vs. Man Utd (4-3-3)

Arsenal Confirmed Lineup vs. Man Utd (4-3-3)

Starting XI: David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapié, Martin Ødegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard.

Substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres.

Why Have Arsenal Left Out Gyökeres?

Why Have Arsenal Left Out Gyökeres?

Across 20 Premier League appearances, Gyökeres has managed only five goals—three of which arrived during the opening month against teams currently battling relegation (Leeds United and Nottingham Forest). His remaining strikes came against Burnley and Everton, positioned 19th and 11th respectively, with two of his five goals coming from the penalty spot.

Simply put, he hasn't delivered sufficient impact against quality opposition. Gyökeres has frequently engaged in physical battles with opposing defenders or drifted wide to increase his involvement. Arsenal's attacking patterns have traditionally flowed through central midfield or the flanks, with Kai Havertz functioning as a withdrawn striker throughout 2024–25.

Arsenal haven't successfully tailored their approach to maximize Gyökeres's abilities, while he hasn't established himself as a consistent threat in the final third. His shot frequency remains low and he hasn't proven himself essential to Arteta's tactical plans.

An additional factor in the Spanish manager's selection is Gabriel Jesus's fitness recovery. The Brazilian has recently returned following an 11-month injury layoff and despite speculation about a potential move back to Brazil, he has publicly expressed his commitment to remaining at the Emirates.

Two strikes against Inter in a commanding 3–1 Champions League victory during the week earned Jesus this starting opportunity—Gyökeres also found the net for his ninth goal in all competitions—with Arteta recognizing that the former Manchester City striker possesses greater experience in high-pressure situations than his underperforming colleague.

This encapsulates Gyökeres's predicament: he hasn't earned his manager's complete confidence and isn't considered an automatic selection.

What Does the Future Hold for Gyokeres?

What Does the Future Hold for Gyokeres?

There's no indication that Gyökeres's short-term position is under threat. Arteta has consistently emphasized patience regarding his adaptation and full integration, making it unlikely he would be quickly discarded.

However, Arsenal's manager will face a significant decision during the summer transfer window, regardless of potential Premier League success. Maintaining Gyökeres, Jesus and Havertz simultaneously seems unsustainable if none can become the consistent 20-goal scorer Arsenal have desperately needed for years.

Gyökeres was recruited specifically for that purpose, so if he cannot fulfill this role, alternatives must be explored. What's certain is that Jesus has been granted this opportunity to prove himself against Champions League-chasing Manchester United—whether he capitalizes remains to be seen.