Sweden manager Graham Potter has explained why Viktor Gyokeres will play no part in their World Cup warm-up fixtures next month.
The Arsenal striker is, of course, preparing for the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest on May 30.
As a result, Potter has confirmed that Gyokeres will be excused from Sweden’s friendlies against Norway in Oslo on 1 June and Greece in Stockholm three days later.
“He will not be in the first two matches in Oslo and Stockholm,” Potter said when presenting his World Cup squad.
“He plays the Champions League final on May 30 and the next match after that will be two weeks later. I don’t think he needs any more games there.
“He’s probably played 500 games this season. He doesn’t need any more.”
Potter also confirmed no replacement will be called up for the two fixtures, with Gyokeres simply needing some rest ahead of the tournament proper.
👀 Do we all owe Viktor Gyokeres an apology after his performances against Fulham and Atletico?
👏 Three goals in three games and three top performances!
Viktor Gyokeres fully focused on Champions League final
The decision is unsurprising and obviously a welcome one from an Arsenal perspective.
Viktor Gyokeres has missed just two Premier League games for the Gunners this season, with only David Raya, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi featuring more times.
Heading into the biggest club game of his career, he will be fully focused on securing a historic Premier League and Champions League double.
His form coming into the final has been just what Arsenal needed. After a slow start to life at the Emirates that had some supporters questioning the £55 million outlay, Gyokeres has hit his stride at precisely the right moment — two goals against Fulham, a composed penalty against Atletico Madrid, and a man-of-the-match display in the second leg.
His 21 goals across all competitions make him the first Arsenal player to reach that tally in a debut season since Alexis Sanchez.
Viktor Gyokeres is pivotal to Sweden’s World Cup campaign
Gyokeres’ international credentials are equally impressive.
He was instrumental in Sweden’s World Cup qualification, scoring a hat-trick against Ukraine in the semi-final before netting the winner against Poland in the play-off final in March.
Sweden begin the tournament against Tunisia on June 15, before facing the Netherlands and Japan in Group F.
Potter will hope his star striker arrives at the World Cup fresh, sharp, and ideally with a Champions League winners’ medal around his neck.
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