What is happening with Gyokeres after Arsenal absence and Alvarez swap deal

Viktor Gyokeres was one of the standout signings of the summer 2025 transfer window, having penned a big-money move from Sporting to Arsenal. Gyokeres was subject to interest from other top clubs on the continent, including Manchester United, with the Swede opting to sign for the Gunners instead.

It took him a bit of time to get up to speed in his first Premier League campaign, scoring just four times in Arsenal’s first 16 matches in the division. However, by the end of his first season at the club, Gyokeres had notched 21 goals across all competitions and looked as if he was starting to head in the right direction.

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Fast forward to the now and the mood around the 28-year-old feels much different. So far across Arsenal’s opening two league matches, Gyokeres hasn’t played a single minute, with Kai Havertz having been fancied as the starting striker.

Meanwhile, in the background, it’s claimed that Arsenal were pushing hard to secure the services of Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. The striker, deemed one of the very best in Europe, has been front and centre of a transfer saga involving Barcelona, but Atletico have ruled out the possibility of selling him to their La Liga rivals.

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As such, it opened the door for Arsenal, given there was a growing feeling that Atletico might be more willing to do business with a club outside of Spain, and talk of Gyokeres going in the opposite direction. At least so they thought, as it became clear Alvarez had no intention of moving back to England, with Arsenal left with their tails between their legs.

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There had been whispers that if Arsenal had bagged Alvarez’s services, it could spell problems for Gyokeres, given Arteta’s clear preference of Havertz. That doesn’t look like being the case and the former Coventry star is likely to stay at Arsenal beyond tonight’s 11pm deadline.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean his long-term future remains at the Emirates Stadium. The zero appearances in both league outings so far will ring alarm bells, and while minutes should be more plentiful when the Champions League programme is up and running, it would take something monumental for Gyokeres to force his way back into Arteta’s thinking.

And what’s more, Alvarez might’ve said no this time around, but that doesn’t mean to say his mind can’t be changed in the future, especially given how ruptured his relationship with Atletico appears to be. This could be one to watch over the next few months.

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