Viktor Gyokeres has responded after being taunted on Swedish television over his lack of playing time at Arsenal.
Jonas Olsson, working as a pundit for Viaplay during Sweden’s recent internationals, said of the striker: “He has rested enough at Arsenal.”
Gyokeres addressed the comment directly, insisting he remains sharp despite limited game time under Mikel Arteta.
The moment has kept the Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal situation in the spotlight during the international break, with the forward keen to set the record straight on his fitness and his role at the club.
Viktor Gyokeres responds to Jonas Olsson comments on Swedish TV
Olsson made the remark during Viaplay’s broadcast coverage of Sweden’s recent fixtures, needling Gyokeres over his reduced role at Arsenal this season.
It was a pointed dig at a player who arrived in north London as a marquee signing, only to find himself competing hard for a starting place.
Gyokeres did not let the comment pass. He used his own media duties with Sweden to explain, in his own words, why his lack of starts should not be read as a lack of sharpness or ambition.
Primary Source Attribution & Official Details
Speaking to Viaplay, in comments reported by Football.London, Gyokeres addressed the taunt directly.
“I haven’t played every minute, but I’ve had matches. Especially in the last few weeks. I may not have played every third day, but I feel like I’m in match form,” he said.
He also spoke about the level of competition he faces for a starting spot. “Of course, you expect more playing time, but we have an extremely good squad with a lot of good players and have been doing well here at the start. I’m just trying to focus on what I can control and do my best to play more,” Gyokeres said.
On his working relationship with Arteta, he was equally direct. “I obviously need to do better and I’m willing to do it, so it’s no problem. [The dialogue with Arteta] is good. I just try to do well when I get the chance and score goals,” he added.
Squad Impact & Tactical Context
Gyokeres’ scored Sweden’s third goal in a 3-1 win over Poland in Stockholm, then struck the winner in a 2-1 Nations League victory over Romania.
Both performances came in the same week he was being questioned over his club minutes.
That’s the best response for a striker.
Domestically, the picture looks very different. Gyokeres has started just two league games under Arteta this season and is yet to score.
That marks a sharp change from last term, when he scored 21 goals in all competitions as Arsenal won the league title, despite starting only 26 of the 46 games. The rotation policy that shaped last season appears to be continuing into this one.
Kai Havertz’s fitness could be a factor in any change.
The forward picked up a minor muscle strain while playing for Germany against the Netherlands during the same international break.
Should Havertz need extra recovery time, Gyokeres may find a more direct route into Arsenal’s starting eleven.
Elsewhere, the striker has recently clarified his long-term situation at the club and addressed his desire to feature more regularly, while also being defended by international teammates amid the scrutiny.
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