Viktor Gyokeres is set to lead Arsenal's attack against Leeds on Saturday after Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury while on Germany duty. The striker's return to form for Sweden has come at a perfect time for the Gunners, who are also without Christos Tzolis due to a similar injury.
Gyokeres' International Form
Gyokeres went into the international break low on confidence, with no real positives from his early-season performances at club level. However, for his country, it has been a different story. The striker has scored three goals in as many matches for Sweden, looking far more like the ruthless forward Arsenal need.
Havertz's injury is not believed to be serious, but no exact timeframe for his recovery has been provided. As it stands, Gyokeres is likely to lead the line against Leeds, an opponent he scored three times against last season, which should provide another confidence boost.
Arteta's Options on the Wing
Arteta also has the option to start Mikel Merino up front instead, with the Spaniard more of an enabler in terms of combining with those around him than Gyokeres. However, it would be a surprise if Arteta did not turn to Gyokeres after his impressive run with Sweden.
On the wing, Christos Tzolis also suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Greece and looks set to miss around three weeks. Eberechi Eze has shared the minutes on the left with Tzolis this season and is the obvious candidate to get a run of matches. Arteta has praised Eze's improvements off the ball in that position, fulfilling his duties tracking back and helping the full-back.
Alternative Approaches
Arsenal's best performances in attack this season have come when the front line has interchanged fluidly. Gyokeres will not offer that in the same way Havertz does, but Eze is comfortable drifting into central positions, allowing Arteta to get both him and Martin Odegaard in the same lineup.
Arteta might also consider Noni Madueke, who featured on the left wing early last season but has barely had a minute there since. Madueke would offer a point of difference with his pace, increasing Arsenal's threat in behind and making it harder for pressing sides to pin them in. He is predominantly left-footed, and Gyokeres would prefer him on that wing than Eze, who has an instinct to cut inside. Madueke is a natural winger and more of a direct runner, getting to the byline and putting in crosses, which could be crucial as Gyokeres is not a player to create chances out of nothing.
Arteta could get more experimental, whether moving Saka over to the left or finding a way to get Max Dowman into the team, but that feels unlikely for now. Arteta will want to minimise disruption, with his right wing a key strength this season. The challenge is ensuring the rest of the attack does not let that down.
