One question. One smirk. One answer that said everything.
When Graham Potter was asked about Viktor Gyokeres’ minutes at Arsenal, his response instantly lit up the room.
As Sweden prepare for a make-or-break World Cup qualification play-off semi-final against Ukraine in March, all eyes are on their most lethal weapon — and right now, that weapon wears red in North London.
Viktor Gyokeres is on fire.
The 27-year-old Arsenal striker has exploded into form, hammering home 15 goals in all competitions this season and storming to the top of the Gunners’ scoring charts. His latest statement? A ruthless brace in the North London derby to sink Tottenham — the kind of performance that silences critics and electrifies supporters in equal measure.
So naturally, when Sweden boss Graham Potter faced the media ahead of the crucial international clash, one question was inevitable: did he have anything to say to Mikel Arteta about managing Gyokeres’ playing time?
Potter’s answer was ice-cold — and laced with dry humor.
“I don’t think he’ll be particularly interested in what I have to say, to be honest,” Potter replied. “I don’t blame him. I think he has a lot on his mind.”
Translation? Arteta runs Arsenal. And right now, Gyokeres is central to everything.
Potter made it crystal clear he has zero concerns about his striker’s workload. In fact, he doubled down with emphatic praise.
“From my perspective, there is no doubt about Viktor. He is a top player, a top person. I think he has contributed to where Arsenal are as a team in all four competitions.”
That’s not just polite endorsement — that’s full backing.
And the numbers back it up.
In 2026 alone, Gyokeres has registered 10 goal contributions across all competitions. No Premier League player has more. Not one. At a time when Arsenal are battling on multiple fronts — Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup — his goals are proving decisive.
Yes, he’s had his critics. Every top striker does. But the former Coventry City forward has responded the only way elite forwards can: with goals.
His derby double wasn’t just about bragging rights. It was about mentality. Character. Personality. The exact qualities Potter highlighted when reflecting on the performance.
Now, the stakes rise even higher.
Sweden’s qualification campaign has been far from smooth. Their clash with Ukraine represents their last realistic shot at reaching the World Cup. And Potter knows that without a clinical edge up front, the dream could evaporate.
There’s even the tantalizing possibility of pairing Gyokeres with Liverpool’s £125 million striker Alexander Isak — if the latter recovers in time from the fractured leg that has sidelined him since December. Isak has only one more international goal than Gyokeres, making their potential partnership one of the most intriguing attacking duos in European football.
Two Premier League forwards. Two proven finishers. One final opportunity.
For Arsenal fans, however, the focus remains closer to home. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners are surging. They’re competing fiercely in the Premier League and Champions League, while still alive in the Carabao Cup. Silverware is no longer a distant ambition — it’s a tangible target.
And Gyokeres is at the heart of it.
Potter may have laughed off the idea of advising Arteta, but the subtext was clear: when you have a striker this decisive, you play him. You trust him. You ride the wave.
March will test Gyokeres on the international stage. But right now, in North London, he’s proving that the criticism, the pressure, and the spotlight only sharpen his edge.
The message from Sweden’s manager couldn’t be clearer.
There is no doubt about Viktor Gyokeres.
And both Arsenal and Sweden are betting their seasons on that belief.
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