Arsenal's Star Forward Ruled Out as Gunners Face Make-or-Break Champions League Clash
Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres is unlikely to participate in this week's Champions League encounter against Slavia Prague after missing Monday's training session.
Gyökeres was conspicuously absent from the practice the day prior to the match in the Czech Republic's capital.
The Swedish striker netted only his fourth Premier League goal since his £63.4 million ($83.3 million) summer move from Sporting CP during Saturday's victory over Burnley, having previously endured five league matches without finding the net.
Gyökeres was substituted at the interval after experiencing what head coach Mikel Arteta characterized as "something muscular." The Arsenal manager then reverted to last season's strategy of utilizing midfielder Mikel Merino in a false nine role. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remaining unavailable, the Spanish player is now expected to start against Slavia Prague.
Fortunately, Gyökeres may not be absent for an extended period as Arteta mentioned it was merely a "little niggle."
Viktor Gyökeres Injury a 'Shame'
Arteta expressed that it was a "shame" Gyökeres couldn't feature for more than 45 minutes against Burnley, considering it among his finest displays in Arsenal colors thus far.
"I believe that was among his strongest performances. I think his overall display was outstanding. Everything—his intense pressing, his positioning and his ball control. His runs behind the defense, how he connected play, how he helped us transition from defensive situations to attacking moments, significantly.
"I believe he was in excellent form."
Detractors of Gyökeres, 27, who had never competed in one of Europe's premier five leagues until three months ago—nor any elite level football whatsoever until joining Sporting in summer 2023—may contend that he has yet to validate his substantial transfer fee in crucial matches.
All four of his Premier League strikes thus far have been scored against teams battling relegation with vulnerable defenses—Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Burnley—while he has repeatedly failed to score against stronger opposition higher up the standings.
The forward did, nevertheless, find the net twice in the 4–0 Champions League demolition of Atlético Madrid. Sometimes, strikers acquired from abroad find European tournaments more manageable than domestic leagues due to different tactical approaches, as witnessed with Rasmus Højlund at Manchester United.