Viktor Gyokeres is prepared to force through a departure from Arsenal in the January transfer window, with his absence from Mikel Arteta's Premier League starting line-up the driving force behind his desire to leave.
The 28-year-old has managed just 56 minutes of Premier League football this season without contributing a goal or assist, despite having been central to Arsenal's title triumph last term. Kai Havertz is currently Arteta's first choice through the middle, and sources familiar with the situation confirm that Gyokeres' lack of opportunities is the main reason he is now looking towards the exit door.
Gyokeres arrived from Sporting CP last summer after Arsenal chose him over Benjamin Sesko, who subsequently joined Manchester United. He scored 21 goals across all competitions during a title-winning campaign that also saw the club reach the Champions League final and the Carabao Cup final. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were the next highest scorers at the club with 11 goals each, while Havertz managed seven, though his season was affected by injury.
This term the picture has been starkly different. Although Gyokeres has featured in both of Arsenal's Champions League fixtures from the start, he is yet to start a Premier League match. His frustration has already drawn interest from clubs across Europe, with Atletico Madrid, sides in Italy, Germany and unnamed Premier League clubs all monitoring his availability ahead of January.
Atletico's appetite for Gyokeres was discussed when they met with Andrea Berta during the summer, with those conversations also touching on a potential deal for Julian Alvarez. Arsenal ultimately failed to land Alvarez, with the Argentine preferring a move to Barcelona and Atletico unwilling to sell. Arsenal's continued pursuit of another forward has only deepened uncertainty within Gyokeres' camp about his long-term standing at the club.
Arsenal are open to letting him leave, with a fee of £64m having been cited. Arteta spoke positively about the striker ahead of an upcoming Premier League fixture, praising his professionalism and commitment to the team.
Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere offered a sympathetic view of Gyokeres' situation, telling Betway: "It's tough because you think to be successful, you need a striker to go and get you 30 goals, but Arsenal proved last season that that's not the case. Havertz has started the season well for me, and I just think Arsenal's style of play — getting the ball out wide and utilising the wingers — might not suit that type of striker that fans are calling for. It was great to see Gyokeres back at the weekend, and he scored some important goals last year and probably didn't get the credit he deserved."
Gyokeres returned from the recent international break in sharp form, netting four goals across four UEFA Nations League appearances for Sweden, including strikes against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania. Havertz, meanwhile, remains Arteta's preferred option, and the potential arrival of Alvarez would make Gyokeres' prospects of securing a regular starting role even more difficult.
Reporting: CaughtOffside, Sky Sports, BBC Sport, Mirror, Football.London, Football Italia, TeamTalk.