Mikel Arteta actually had a surprise plan for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal but it was ruined

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The jury is still out on Viktor Gyokeres following his move to Arsenal in the summer.

The Gunners had been in need of a new striker for several years. Mikel Arteta had to deploy the likes of Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and even Mikel Merino because he had no options.

Andrea Berta’s biggest task in the summer was to sign a new striker, and after weeks of negotiations, he struck a deal to land Gyokeres.

The Swede has featured in every single game so far this season, but that wasn’t the plan at all.

Mikel Arteta’s plan for Viktor Gyokeres ruined because of Kai Havertz’s injury

Havertz was Arsenal’s main centre-forward for about 18 months before the start of this season.

The German has always divided opinion, but he delivered up front for Arteta. He was even the club’s top scorer last season despite spending a spell on the sidelines due to an injury.

Havertz came on as a substitute in Arsenal’s opening game of this season, but he hasn’t played a minute since because of an injury.

Viktor Gyokeres has had to play in every fixture as a result, but that, surprisingly, is not what Arteta wanted.

Isaan Khan has revealed on Daily Mail that Arteta had originally decided to start Havertz in most games, with Gyokeres playing as his backup in order to adapt to the Premier League.

He wrote in a Q&A: “It’s understood that if it weren’t for Kai Havertz’s injury, the German would have started the campaign as Arsenal’s No 9, not Gyokeres.

“The 27-year-old was identified as someone who needed time to bed into a new league, system and environment, but has been forced to learn on the fly without a rest, as there are no real alternatives to start in his place, especially given Arsenal’s tricky fixture list to start the season.”

What Viktor Gyokeres has brought to Arsenal

It is a bit of a surprise that Arteta’s plan was to ease Gyokeres into his side, as Arsenal had been desperate for a striker for a long time.

Havertz’s unavailability has stopped the Arsenal manager from doing that, but Gyokeres has still done well.

The Swede has only managed three goals so far, but his presence makes opposition centre-halves focus completely on him.

That allows space for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the two flanks, which never used to happen in previous seasons.

Goals are what will define Gyokeres – he will know that better than anyone else. But everything else he does on the pitch should not be ignored.

Arsenal are better with Gyokeres in their side, and he will only get better in the coming months.