'Incredible' Arsenal player should replace Kai Havertz vs Bayern Munich

Viktor Gyokeres will hope for just his fourth start across all competitions for Arsenal this season when Mikel Arteta's team visit Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old has seriously struggled for minutes so far this season, largely forced to wait in the wings behind Kai Havertz.

The German had started the campaign well but has kept his place up front even despite massively struggling in recent weeks, with his last goal coming against Chelsea at the start of September.

Havertz struggled again as Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 on Sunday, with Gyokeres handed 24 minutes to make an impact and help find a way through the home side's defence.

The Swede did exactly that, placing the defenders under huge pressure and driving his team up the pitch by holding the ball up and bringing others into play.

Noni Madueke would claim the plaudits for eventually finding the goal, but Gyokeres' display has surely earned him a starting role for the trip to Munich this week.

Viktor Gyokeres has earned his chance

It is no secret that Arteta's preference up front is for Havertz, who has assets that Gyokeres does not offer.

The German often drops deep to link play and is a more effective presser, which is key to the Spaniard's system.

When on top form, Havertz is instrumental to Arsenal's success and arguably among the best strikers in world football.

But he is simply not in form at the moment, and could almost certainly benefit from at least a game or two out of the starting line-up.

Havertz managed just two shots off target and did not create a single chance against Nottingham Forest. He took four touches in the opposition box and made just one pass into the final third.

In just 24 minutes, Gyokeres created a chance and took a shot, matching the touches in the box and passes into the final third that his teammate had in almost triple the time.

The presence and movement of the Sweden international ultimately created the space that drove Arsenal forward and saw them find the all-important breakthrough.

Mikel Arteta must make squad statement

Not only for Gyokeres, the decision to deploy him against Bayern feels like an important one for Arteta.

"Viktor transmits is an incredible will and determination and work rate to improve, help the team," he said last week.

"That's Viktor every single day, regardless of his position, whether he scores a goal or not. And that's why he's always an option to play”.

Words are well and good but strong performances in training and off the bench must be rewarded by minutes from the start.

Arteta must prove that Gyokeres has done enough to earn that privilege, or he risks alienating much of his squad.