Arsenal blow as Viktor Gyokeres in line to miss two key matches
Mikel Arteta could be handed a huge blow in the title race with striker Viktor Gyokeres potentially forced to miss two matches next year.
The Gunners have started the season with two wins from three games as they search for a first Premier League title in over 20 years.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting in the summer in a £64million deal, and the striker has netted two goals in the opening three Premier League fixtures for the club.
Both goals came against Leeds, and Gyokeres’ performances have been criticised against Manchester United and Liverpool.
Viktor Gyokeres involved in Swedish legal case
The Daily Mail [6 September] report that “Gyokeres has been dragged into a high-profile legal case in Sweden.”
They state: “His representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, launched a defamation suit into two Swedish publications, Fotboll Sthlm and Expressen over allegations both he and and his agency, HCM Sports Management, had ties to criminal gangs.
“Last month, it was reported that police were investigating why gun shots were fired at the home of a relative of one of Gyokeres’ agents in Huddinge, near Stockholm. There are suspicions that the incident was connected to Gyokeres’ transfer after the relative allegedly bragged about receiving a slice of the fee.
“Police in Sweden have previously expressed concern that organised criminals may target individuals working in professional football in order to extort them.
“It has now emerged that Gyokeres has been called on as a witness in the defamation case and will testify about a childhood friend in Stockholm District Court in 2026.”
The report concludes that “Gyokeres is not suspected of any crime.”
As the trial is scheduled for early to mid February 2026, Gyokeres could miss Premier League clashes at home to Sunderland and away at Brentford.
Mikel Arteta faces potential striker issues
Football Insider Verdict
The news that Gyokeres could be forced to miss two games will be a concern to Arteta, even if the Swede has yet to hit top form in an Arsenal shirt.
Gyokeres is still adjusting to the Premier League and gelling with his team mates, though by the time February comes around, Arteta will be hoping the goals are flowing.
| Viktor Gyokeres | Stats |
| Appearances | 52 |
| Goals | 54 |
| Assists | 13 |
Whilst Sunderland and Brentford seem like perfect fixtures for Gyokeres to miss, every match is crucial in what could be a tight title race with Liverpool.
Arteta will hope that Gyokeres does not have to miss either match, with Kai Havertz struggling with a knee problem and Gabriel Jesus a regular on the sidelines with injuries.
In the potential absence of all three, Leandro Trossard would be the obvious candidate to fill the void up-front.
Gyokeres is expected to fire Arsenal to the title, and his loss could provide a major blow to the Gunners’ title hopes.