Viktor Gyokeres is facing a difficult start to his second season at Arsenal, with Kai Havertz firmly established as Mikel Arteta's first-choice striker. The Swedish international has been restricted to substitute appearances while Havertz has started all three of the Gunners' opening matches, scoring against both Coventry and Chelsea.
Arsenal's strong early form, which sees them third in the Premier League with six points from two wins, has solidified Arteta's selection choices. The team has scored four goals without conceding, leaving them just three points behind leaders Manchester City. Their next challenge is an away trip to face Sunderland on September 12th, a fixture detailed on the club's fixtures page.
Why is Kai Havertz starting ahead of Gyokeres?
Havertz's performances have given Arteta little reason to change his attacking lineup. The German forward began the season leading the line and has repaid that faith with goals. After the victory over Chelsea, Arteta was asked about Havertz's form. "He looks happy. He looks settled, happy, and some great things have happened in his personal life as well," the manager told reporters. Arteta added that the player is fit, training every day, scoring goals, and doing amazing work for the team.
This consistency has created a high barrier for Gyokeres to overcome. The marquee signing from last summer, who broke the 20-goal barrier in his debut campaign, now finds himself watching from the bench at the Emirates Stadium. His only minutes so far this term came as a substitute in the Premier League.
What did Jamie Carragher say about the situation?
The competition for places has attracted commentary from pundits. Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher delivered a blunt assessment of Gyokeres's prospects. "Viktor Gyokeres is never taking Kai Havertz's place," Carragher stated. This analysis, reported by the Daily Mirror, highlights the perceived gap between the two players in the manager's current plans.
Carragher's comments were made during coverage available through Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which is showing at least 215 live Premier League games this 2026/27 season. The depth of Arsenal's squad means that individuals who would be automatic starters at many other clubs are struggling for regular football in North London.
How does the squad depth affect team selection?
Arteta himself acknowledged the competitive environment when discussing his players' potential. He said Arsenal has great players who can improve and have another version of themselves that is even better. This philosophy applies pressure across the entire squad, pushing everyone to maintain high standards.
The manager's system and current tactical preferences clearly favour Havertz's attributes. Last season's Champions League final, where Havertz also got the nod, demonstrated the manager's long-standing trust in the player. This continuity into the new campaign makes a sudden change seem unlikely unless form or fitness dictates otherwise.
What is Arsenal's current league position?
The team's strong results justify the manager's selections. With two wins from two games, Arsenal sit third in the standings, boasting a perfect defensive record and a positive goal difference of four. This solid foundation provides little incentive for Arteta to rotate his successful attacking combination.
Their next match against Sunderland, who are currently 11th, presents another opportunity for the settled side to build momentum. The fixture list shows a busy period ahead, making contributions from the entire squad important, but for now the pecking order appears set. Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light on September 12th for their third league match of the season.
