The key facts

  • Gyökeres has not scored a single goal this season and has not started any Premier League match — Arteta prefers Havertz
  • Arteta called Gyökeres 'incredibly determined' and believes he has been unlucky with chances
  • Zubimendi may play against Nottingham Forest; Hincapié will miss one to two weeks

Arteta on Gyökeres: will and determination

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta on Friday, October 16, backed striker Viktor Gyökeres, who is struggling at the start of the season. The 28-year-old Swede has yet to score a single goal in any competition, despite regularly scoring for the Sweden national team, and remains a squad player in the current campaign. Arteta prefers German Kai Havertz at the tip of the attack, which is why Gyökeres has not started a single Premier League match this season.

'It's a very personal question'

Ahead of Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest, Arteta was asked whether Gyökeres is suffering from a lack of confidence. 'It's a very personal question,' the coach replied. 'I think he transmits incredible will and determination, work rate, a desire to improve and to help the team, that's all. That's Viktor every day, regardless of his situation, whether he scores a goal or not, and that's why he's always an option to play.'

'Very small margins'

Arteta recalled that Gyökeres scored 21 goals in his debut season for the club in 2025/26, and believes that this season he has simply been unlucky not to open his goal account. 'We try to help him as much as possible. He has had very good moments,' the coach said. 'Three or four times he found himself in front of goal with no goalkeeper, and the ball should have reached him, but it didn't. These are very small margins. Scoring or not scoring changes the narrative.'

Zubimendi and Hincapié injuries

Arteta also said that midfielder Martín Zubimendi may be fit for the match against Forest, while defender Piero Hincapié will likely miss the trip to the City Ground. Both picked up strange ankle injuries in training on the Emirates pitch after the win over Leeds last week. 'Piero is progressing very well. Knowing his character and how he pushes everyone, I'm sure it won't take long, but he will probably need another week or two,' Arteta said. 'Zubi looks much better, he already looked much better today. We have another training session tomorrow, after which we will assess whether he is available for the match against Forest.'

League position

Arsenal sit second in the Premier League, three points behind Manchester City.