If one thing has defined Mikel Arteta’s time at Arsenal, it’s ruthlessness.
The Spaniard has not been afraid to make cut-throat decisions for the betterment of his team.
Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were released when they no longer served a purpose under Arteta, while academy graduates such as Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah were sold when they were surplus to requirements too.
However, perhaps Arteta’s most ruthless call was to get rid of Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale was coming off the back of a season where he’d made the PFA Team of the Year back in 2023, but he was duly ditched as Arsenal’s number one in favour of David Raya.
Now, another Arsenal player could suffer a similar fate
Arsenal can only sign Julian Alvarez if one of Viktor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz leaves. Who would you sell?
Viktor Gyokeres could suffer the same fate as Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres arrived at Arsenal as a major signing, expected to lead the line and solve a long-standing need for a reliable striker.
Less than a season later, there is already a sense that his position is not as secure as it once seemed, and that raises comparisons with what happened to Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale went from undisputed number one to a player with no future almost overnight. The decision to bring in David Raya changed everything. It did not matter that Ramsdale had performed well for long periods, Arsenal moved quickly once they identified a different profile they preferred.
Gyokeres could be heading towards a similar situation.
His performances this season have been mixed. There have been flashes from the striker, but not enough consistency to fully convince. For a player signed at a high cost, expectations are always higher, and anything short of regular impact starts to invite scrutiny.
Arsenal are already being linked with other forwards, Julian Alvarez is a target, and if he comes in, it could be curtains for Gyokeres.
This is how the Ramsdale situation unfolded.
Once the club decided there was a better option available, the hierarchy changed quickly. Ramsdale was still a good goalkeeper, but he no longer fit the exact profile Arteta wanted. The same risk now exists for Gyokeres if Arsenal believe there is a forward who better suits their system.
Arteta is ruthless, and if he can get Alvarez, don’t be shocked if Gyokeres is cast aside.
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