Viktor Gyokeres struggles to elevate Arsenal performance in Champions League
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 10:29 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026

Viktor Gyokeres appeared for Arsenal during their recent away Champions League match, though observers noted a lack of the fluidity expected from the team’s attack. Former defender Nedum Onuoha stated that while Gyokeres put in a diligent effort, the squad functioned differently when he was on the pitch compared to when Kai Havertz replaced him. Havertz remains the preferred option at striker for manager Mikel Arteta, as his presence correlates with a more familiar attacking rhythm for the club. Gyokeres created occasional opportunities for himself and his teammates during his minutes, but he has not yet integrated into the side's standard tactical approach. Other players including Piero Hincapie and Mikel Merino also saw time on the pitch during the away fixture. Arteta continues to evaluate his options as the squad navigates the challenges of European competition.
- •Viktor Gyokeres, Piero Hincapie, and Mikel Merino played during the Champions League away match.
- •Nedum Onuoha identified a disconnect between Gyokeres and the team's typical attacking fluidity.
- •Kai Havertz is currently the preferred starting striker for manager Mikel Arteta.
- •The team showed a different tactical familiarity once Havertz and other substitutes entered the match.
- 10:29 PMYahoo Sports — Gyokeres fails to elevate Gunners
"Playing away in the Champions League, it is always going to be tough, but I think with Gyokeres, you can feel the difference when he is playing compared to when Kai Havertz is. "Arsenal created chances before that and Gyokeres created a chance or two himself, but Arsenal just felt like a different team when Havertz was in there, maybe because there were some more familiar faces coming on to the pitch as well, the likes of Christos Tzolis and so on, but they looked different and it felt different, it felt more familiar."
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