Viktor Johansson Defends Viktor Gyokeres Ahead of Nations League Match
Viktor Johansson has defended his close friend and Sweden teammate over the Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal situation, speaking out ahead of the Nations League fixture against Romania. The Sweden goalkeeper insists Gyokeres remains a top forward despite a difficult start to the season under Mikel Arteta.
Asked directly about criticism aimed at the striker, Johansson said: “Yes, so, it’s clear that it’s never fun to read it. Then again, I’m not the best at reading what’s written either.” He added that the squad prefers not to dwell on the issue publicly.
“Sometimes it’s important not to talk too much about it (the situation) either. We all know what a fantastic footballer he is and everything will work out,” Johansson said. He closed with a simple message of support: “But I know that he’s a fantastic footballer and a fantastic person. And that’s what I’m taking with me.”
Sweden International Details Personal Friendship and Off-Field Support
Johansson and Gyokeres grew up together in Stockholm, and the bond has stayed strong into their careers as professional footballers. The pair even holidayed together with their families last summer, following Sweden’s World Cup campaign.
That friendship still shapes their routine today. Gyokeres regularly makes the three-hour drive north to Stoke to see Johansson, using the trip as a break from the pressures of club football. “I call and check on the situation. Sometimes he has come up to us in Stoke. Then we have hung out and cooked food,” Johansson explained.
The pair keep things simple when they meet up. “We are ordinary people. It’s not all about football. We can talk about a lot of other things and help each other. One does the shopping and the other does the cooking,” Johansson said.
Arsenal Game Time and Graham Potter Tactical Context
Gyokeres has managed just 29 minutes of Premier League football so far this season. He has been left as an unused substitute on three separate occasions, with his only starts coming in cup competition against Napoli and Ipswich, the latter covered in our earlier report on the Carabao Cup lineups.
Sweden head coach Graham Potter addressed the situation without straying into speculation about Arteta’s selection choices. “It’s part of the life of a footballer. Things can come at you fairly quickly and often you just have to deal with it,” Potter said.
Potter also stressed the squad’s confidence in the forward. “We know how good Viktor is, we know how important he is. We love him with the team and I think he has the same feeling,” he added. He suggested international duty could offer some relief: “Sometimes a change of context, a change of environment can help a player. We’re all looking forward to having Viktor with us and helping him enjoy his football.”
Sweden Timeline and Upcoming Nations League Fixture Against Romania
Gyokeres has now linked up with the Sweden squad for the current international window, with the Nations League clash against Romania offering him regular minutes away from Arsenal’s rotation. Johansson and Potter’s comments came in the build-up to that match, first detailed in the football.london report on the squad’s preparations.
For now, the Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal picture remains one of limited opportunity at club level, balanced by strong backing from those closest to him in the Sweden camp.
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