Viktor Gyokeres is a big weapon for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta isn't using him properly

Arsenal supporters have been left baffled by the treatment of Viktor Gyokeres at the Emirates Stadium this season.

During the 28-year-old's first season in England, he netted 21 goals in 55 appearances, with only six others bagging more in the Premier League.

Some were still disappointed by his output, having seen him smash in 97 goals for Sporting CP during his two seasons there, but it was a good start.

However, the centre-forward has rarely been seen in North London, with his only two starts coming against Napoli in the Champions League and Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup.

He's still yet to hit the back of the net in 2026-27, for the Gunners anyway. On the international stage for Sweden, he has goals in four consecutive games.

Gyokeres has single-handedly dragged Sweden to the top of Nations League B Group 4 during this break, and his goals have been exactly what you expect from him.

Arsenal are using Viktor Gyokeres all wrong

Three of his four goals have been scored from inside the six-yard box, showcasing just how potent he can be when found in the right areas.

His other was a longer-range effort against Bosnia and Herzegovina, firing past a helpless goalkeeper after latching onto a long ball over the top.

Essentially, Mikel Arteta is being shown exactly how to utilise the centre-forward, rather than whatever he has been doing at the Emirates Stadium.

While the Gunners have three of the best deliverers of the ball - Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis and Martin Odegaard - they're rarely looking for him.

If Arteta wants to get the best out of his big-money striker, the team needs to play to his strengths. But they don't. And ultimately, that's on the manager.

Mikel Arteta may have no choice but to start struggler

As already discussed, Gyokeres is yet to start a Premier League game in 26-27, but he may have no choice after a disastrous international break.

Kai Havertz returned to North London early after suffering a new injury against the Netherlands, having only just returned from a previous issue.

Unless Mikel Merino is placed up-front again, which Arteta could very much do, the only option is to finally start playing to Gyokeres' strengths.

The 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the break will have come as a shock to everyone, and the Gunners will be desperate to rectify that against Leeds United on Saturday, 10 October.