Mikel Arteta Under Pressure as Viktor Gyokeres Sends Clear Message After Injury

Mikel Arteta faces scrutiny after Viktor Gyokeres plays through head injury in Arsenal’s UCL win—raising questions about squad management.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is under pressure following Viktor Gyokeres’ head injury during the Champions League clash against Athletic Bilbao. The Swedish striker collided with teammate Gabriel Magalhães, suffering a cut that required medical attention. Despite the injury, Gyokeres continued playing with a bandage wrapped around his head.

Arteta substituted Gyokeres in the 65th minute, bringing on Leandro Trossard. Trossard assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s goal and scored the second himself. However, Arteta insisted the change was tactical, not injury-related.

“It was because we wanted to change certain things,” Arteta said. “He’s played a lot of minutes as well.”

Still, fans and analysts are questioning whether Arteta was downplaying the severity of the injury.

Gyokeres Sends a Message of Commitment

Gyokeres showed resilience, taking four shots inside the box before being subbed off. His performance, though gritty, lacked variety. Critics argue that his playstyle is too narrow, especially in big matches against top teams like Manchester United and Liverpool.

His decision to play through pain sends a strong message: he’s committed to the cause. But it also highlights the need for careful squad management.

Arsenal’s Tactical Concerns

Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces is becoming a concern. Over 60% of their expected goals (xG) this season have come from dead-ball situations. If Gyokeres is to lead the attack, Arteta must find ways to diversify the team’s offensive strategy.

With a crucial match against Manchester City approaching, Arteta has no room for error. Gyokeres incident has sparked debate about transparency, player welfare, and tactical flexibility.

Arteta may have escaped criticism this time, but the pressure is mounting. Gyokeres, bandaged but determined, has made his stance clear—and Arteta must respond.

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