Viktor Gyokeres transfer dilemma hands Mikel Arteta new problem that could cost Arsenal the title

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Mikel Arteta has some big decisions to make about his Arsenal squad with the January transfer window fast approaching. 

Arsenal have not made the start to this season that they will have been hoping for. 

The Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions are hanging by a thread, as Mikel Arteta’s squad was rocked by an injury crisis, suspensions took their toll, and vital points were dropped.

Arsenal were tipped to become champions this season, and they still have a chance of doing exactly that, but improvements will need to be made.

The North London club need to find their form as soon as the Premier League resumes after the international break, and upgrades that could be sourced via the transfer market will have to be seriously considered. 

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres makes transfer statement

Arsenal need to sign a new striker in order to get to the next level. 

Whilst Kai Havertz has largely done a good job of leading the line, he is not the most prolific of forwards. On top of that, Gabriel Jesus has failed to compete for a staring berth at the Emirates Stadium.

Signing a clinical goalscorer ought to be Arteta’s top priority, and Viktor Gyokeres would be the perfect acquisition in this regard. 

However, the Sporting CP star won’t be available this winter. Gyokeres has made a statement about his future.

The Swedish striker said: “I want to finish this season at Sporting. I love it here. New club? We will see when the time comes. I want to play, that’s crucial… and there will be also other factors.”

When the time comes, there will be plenty of competition for the 26-year-old’s signature too, as he has been in blistering form across all competitions so far this season.

Viktor Gyokeres 2024/25 stats:

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes hinge on Mikel Arteta transfer decision

Arsenal have no real margin of error left when it comes to their title ambitions. If they are to become Premier League champions, they will have to be practically perfect for the rest of the campaign, and already have a nine point deficit to make up to catch current leaders Liverpool.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	11	9	1	1	21	6	15	28
2	Man CityManchester City	11	7	2	2	22	13	9	23
3	ChelseaChelsea	11	5	4	2	21	13	8	19
4	ArsenalArsenal	11	5	4	2	18	12	6	19
5	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	11	5	4	2	15	10	5	19
6	BrightonBrighton	11	5	4	2	19	15	4	19

The Gunners need a striker to get the goals they need to fire them to a title. However, Gyokeres is now off the table as far as January is concerned.

Arteta now has a huge decision to make, as he will have to choose between pivoting to an alternative target in January, or holding out for the summer to invest in Gyokeres. 

Of course, Arsenal could still attempt to test Sporting’s resolve to keep Gyokeres this winter, but forcing the Portuguese outfit into such a sale would likely prove prohibitively expensive. However, investing in an alternative in January, of the calibre required, would almost certainly financially rule Arsenal out of race for Gyokeres come the summer.