Arsenal Receive Injury Boost as Kai Havertz Return Creates Viktor Gyokeres Dilemma

Kai Havertz close to Arsenal return as Mikel Arteta weighs up striker options amid Viktor Gyokeres struggles.

Arsenal have received a timely lift in their Premier League title push with Kai Havertz return now imminent, giving Mikel Arteta renewed attacking options at a crucial stage of the season.

The Germany international is expected to be included in the squad as early as Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Portsmouth, having been sidelined since the opening weekend following minor knee surgery in August.

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Arteta confirmed Havertz has stepped up his workload in training and is responding well.

“If everything goes well, I think he’ll be in the squad in the next few days,” Arteta said.
“He’s training well, increasing his load, and coping really well with that.”

Havertz Return Highlights Viktor Gyokeres Concerns

While Havertz’s comeback is a boost, it also sharpens focus on the form of Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal’s £64 million summer signing from Sporting CP.

The 27-year-old striker arrived with a prolific reputation but has struggled to consistently translate that form to the Premier League. In 18 league appearances, Gyokeres has scored five goals, with just one — a penalty — in his last ten matches and none in his previous four outings.

His display in the recent goalless draw against Liverpool drew widespread criticism, where he failed to trouble Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté and remained peripheral throughout.

The scrutiny intensified after that performance, with several high-profile pundits openly questioning Gyokeres’ impact.

Gary Neville described his showing as “really poor,” while Jamie Carragher suggested Arsenal’s attack functioned better with Havertz or Gabriel Jesus operating centrally. Michael Owen went further, questioning whether Gyokeres possesses the quality required to consistently unsettle elite defences.

Such assessments have only increased pressure on the Swedish striker as competition for places grows.

Arteta Faces Genuine Selection Headache

Havertz’s return coincides with Gabriel Jesus regaining fitness and Mikel Merino proving capable of filling in as a central option, giving Arteta multiple tactical routes.

Despite Gyokeres’ struggles, Arteta has publicly backed the striker, insisting competition will not affect his mentality.

“We’re not going to change Viktor’s desire or attitude,” Arteta explained.
“Sometimes scoring goals also involves circumstances and a bit of luck.”

With Arsenal facing a packed schedule — including a Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, a Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest, a Champions League clash with Inter Milan, and a showdown with Manchester United — squad rotation will be unavoidable.

Supporters have reacted with mixed opinions. Some fans see Havertz’s return as a clear upgrade, while others argue that pairing him with Gyokeres could unlock the Swede’s potential.

Observers increasingly recognize the “injured player effect,” where fans elevate returning stars in expectation before those players regain full match rhythm.

Arsenal have missed Havertz’s technical quality, intelligence between the lines, and pressing ability — traits the club now rely on to sharpen their cutting edge.

Kai Havertz’s return gives Arteta a significant boost in squad depth and attacking flexibility. At the same time, it intensifies scrutiny on Viktor Gyokeres, whose £64m price tag creates expectations he has not yet met.

As Arsenal chase trophies on multiple fronts, Arteta must manage this striker dilemma decisively — either guiding Gyokeres back to form or turning to more trusted options.

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