Sweden manager Graham Potter does not think Mikel Arteta will listen to any questions Sweden have for the Arsenal manager about Viktor Gyokeres’ minutes.
Gyokeres’ display against Spurs was his best in an Arsenal shirt as he added two goals to his tally in his first season as a Gunner.
The Swede has now scored 15 goals for Arsenal, and his table-topping form in 2026 is generating attention.
One figure who has been keeping a close eye on Gyokeres is Potter, who has a huge task on his hands to get Sweden to qualify for the World Cup.
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Graham Potter doubts that Mikel Arteta will be interested in Sweden worrying about Viktor Gyokeres’ minutes
Sweden are to face Ukraine in the World Cup qualifiers semi-final in March, and given Alexander Isak’s injury, it’s integral that Gyokeres reports to duty fit and ready to fire.
The issue is that Gyokeres is as essential to Arsenal’s plans as he is to his country’s, giving Potter some anxiety about his striker’s game time management.
The topic came up when Potter spoke to Sportbladet.
Potter was asked by the Swedish outlet, “What do you say to Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, about Viktor’s playing time? You can’t afford any more injuries.”
Having experience of managing in the Premier League, the former Chelsea boss anticipated that Arteta wouldn’t be interested in his, or Sweden’s, concerns about Gyokeres’ fitness.
“I don’t think he’ll be particularly interested in what I have to say, to be honest,” Potter said before adding, “and I don’t blame him. I think he has a lot on his mind.”
Potter was right to assume that Arteta has his hands full, as Arsenal are still fighting on all four fronts and are in a red-hot title race with Manchester City, something Gyokeres is crucial to.
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Interestingly, it was the four competitions that Arsenal are challenging in that Potter mentioned when he praised Gyokeres in the interview.
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“I think he has contributed to where Arsenal are as a team in all four competitions,” he said, before touching on Gyokeres’ lack of form in 2025 for the Gunners.
“Every player sometimes goes through a period where they get a bit of criticism. It’s part of the job.”
Elaborating on the striker’s lacklustre numbers between August and December 2025, Potter made it clear how happy he was to see Gyokeres perform the way he did against Tottenham.
“It was very good for him. I think it highlights his character and personality. From my perspective, there is no doubt about Viktor. He is a top player, a top person.”
There are mixed feelings for Potter, who loves to see Gyokeres doing well, but deep down might have some anxiety every time the Arsenal striker features due to the importance of Sweden’s clashes in March.
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