With subpar performances against Manchester United and Liverpool and a two-goal haul against Leeds United, Arsenal’s sharpshooter Viktor Gyokeres has had a mixed start to life in north London. Now, there are rumours that he might miss “crucial” games for the Gunners in 2026, but why?
Gyokeres, who cost £55 million up front, joined from Sporting CP during the summer and was seen as the long-term solution to Mikel Arteta’s center-forward issues. Benjamin Sesko, a striker for Manchester United presently, was passed over for the 27-year-old.
They spent almost £260 million on players like Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, and Piero Hincapie. Together, the North Londoners are among the biggest teams in the history of football that have never won the Champions League. However, how will they handle Gyokeres’ possible absence in 2026?
Gyokeres might miss the 2026 “Crucial” Arsenal Games.
After three consecutive second-place finishes, Arteta and his team think they have assembled a strong enough group to contend for and possibly win the Premier League crown. However, the summer transfer market is now dead.
Gyokeres may be unable to play a few games next season because of an ongoing legal battle, which Arteta and his group will be damned to know as the capital club works to close the distance with Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
One of the top scorers in the world of football, Gyokeres, has been summoned to testify as a witness in a slander prosecution in his native Sweden next year. Unfortunately, there’s a potential he won’t play in some games.
The lawyer overseeing the case, Joakim Lundqvist, has stated that Stockholm-born Gyokeres has consented to testify and make his case if necessary. Hasan Cetinkaya, the agent of the Arsenal talisman, has sued two Swedish sources for gross defamation.
“He has been called as a witness to be heard in the case regarding the circumstances described in the evidence,” Lundqvist told SVT Sport, according to a Sun story.
Despite not being charged with any crimes, Gyokeres, a 26-cap, 15-goal Sweden international, may be asked to testify as Cetinkaya attempts to sue two periodicals, Fotboll Sthlm and Expressen, in the Stockholm District Court.
Cetinkaya and his football agency, HCM Sports Management, have been accused of having connections to criminal groups by the two media mentioned above. Every accusation has been categorically refuted.
According to reports, The Mirror has reached out to attorney Joakim Lundqvist and HCM Sports Management for additional commentary on the matter. However, as of this writing, no court hearing has been scheduled, thus it is unclear which games Gyokeres would miss.
Gyokeres: Premier League Stats for 2025–2026
Minutes
240
Objectives
2.
Helps
0
Each game’s shots
One
Each game’s key passes
0.7
Each game’s Dribbles
0.3
Total score
7.03
Apart from Premier League games, Gyokeres runs the risk of missing important games as Arsenal’s campaign at the top of Europe’s table and their FA Cup venture begin.
Without looking too far ahead, Arteta’s team will play Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium following the September international break. They will then go to Spain to play Athletic Club to begin their 2025–26 Champions League campaign.
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