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Pundit claims Arsenal players don’t trust Viktor Gyokeres

By on February 6, 2026

viktor gyokeres arsenal

Former creative midfielder turned pundit Paul Merson has claimed that Arsenal players don’t trust Viktor Gyokeres.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were the centre-forward options Mikel Arteta had at his disposal. However, they struggled with fitness problems; as a result, the Spanish boss was forced to use Mikel Merino as an auxiliary striker during the second half of last campaign.

Eventually, the Gunners failed to win any major trophy last term. So, they decided to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP by spending £64m last summer.

The Swedish international was the highest scoring centre-forward over the last two seasons, so Arsenal thought he would be able to address their No.9 problems.

However, Gyokeres has found it difficult to settle into the Premier League’s physicality thus far this season, scoring only six goals in 22 league appearances, with two coming from the penalty spot.

Now, speaking on The Overlap, Merson says that Arsenal’s players appear not to fully trust Gyökeres, often opting against passing to him during matches, which has at times left the forward struggling to get involved.

Merson said:

“I watch Gyokeres. Next time you watch him… Arsenal don’t trust him, the players, they never pass to him. They never pass to him! You watch him, next time he comes short they go, ‘No!’”

Pundit says Arsenal players don’t trust Gyokeres

Although the 27-year-old has struggled in the English top flight, he has showcased his productivity in the cup competitions, making seven goal contributions in nine appearances. Therefore, Gyokeres might still turn out to be a great acquisition for Arsenal.

Despite his struggles in front of the goals, he works very hard without possession and has been helping Arsenal to mount a title charge, sitting at the top of the table with a six-point lead.

Moreover, Arsenal have reached the final of the Carabao Cup and have qualified for the Champions League round of 16, having won all eight league games. They are also in the FA Cup and are on course to win the quadruple.

Meanwhile, after beating Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final in midweek, Arsenal are set to face off against Sunderland in the Premier League this weekend before taking on Brentford next week.