Mikel Arteta has played down concerns over Viktor Gyokeres after the striker was left on the bench again in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Aston Villa, insisting there will be minutes for everybody as the season moves on.
It was the second consecutive league match in which Gyokeres was an unused substitute, a striking note given that he scored 22 goals last season. His limited early-season minutes have already become a talking point, especially after he also did not play against Coventry last week.
Arteta, though, was keen to frame the victory at Villa Park as a collective effort. He said it was a squad victory, and admitted he was sad for the players who did not get on the pitch because they all want to be involved.
Arteta: squad needs matter more than individual frustration
The Arsenal head coach made clear that his selections were shaped by the demands of the match. He said the game was always going to be a long one, and added that physical issues forced him into changes during the contest.
That matters because Gyokeres' situation is not just about one selection decision. It is about how Arsenal manage a forward who arrived with a strong scoring record but has so far been used sparingly, with only 15 minutes in the Community Shield and no league minutes in back-to-back matches.
Arteta's message was straightforward. The players who missed out are not being left behind, and the opportunities should come. As he put it, he is sure there are going to be minutes for everybody.
Why the Gyokeres debate is building
This is where the conversation becomes more interesting for Arsenal. A player who scored 22 goals last term will naturally draw attention when he is not getting on the pitch, and that has helped fuel speculation ahead of transfer deadline day.
For Arteta, the immediate priority is balance. Arsenal have started the season by leaning on a disciplined team performance, and the sixth clean sheet in seven league outings stretching back to last season's run-in underlines that defensive control remains central to the plan.
Even so, the longer Gyokeres stays unused, the more scrutiny there will be over his role in the side. For now, Arteta's answer is patience rather than panic, with the firm belief that the minutes will arrive as Arsenal's schedule demands more from the squad.
