Viktor Gyökeres is already being pushed into January exit talk at Arsenal after a flat opening spell in the Premier League. He has not started a league game so far this season, and his own quote has sharpened the noise around him: "I want to leave in January."

Arsenal's slow start for Gyokeres

The numbers explain why the debate has gathered pace. Gyokeres has made four Premier League appearances for Arsenal, played 80 league minutes, and is still on 0 goals and 0 assists in the competition. Across all competitions he has featured in seven matches and played fewer than 300 minutes.

That is a small return for a striker signed to give Arsenal a different edge in the final third. It also leaves room for a more awkward question: if the league minutes are this limited now, what changes before January?

The clubs in the frame

The reporting has already linked Atletico Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan with a possible move. Atletico are the most developed of those threads, with the summer discussion involving Andrea Berta also mentioned and their current league position giving them the standing to be taken seriously in the race.

There is also a separate line around Kai Havertz, because Arsenal's continued interest in Eberechi Eze has been cited as part of the frustration around Gyokeres. Football Insider reported that Arsenal will not allow the 28-year-old out in January because Mikel Arteta would not have enough time to line up the replacement he wants. The same outlet said Gyokeres will consider his options at the end of the season if his involvement does not improve.

That split matters more than the headline chatter. One report is saying January, another is pointing to a wait until the end of the season. What both agree on is that his role at Arsenal has not settled into anything close to a regular starting place.

If that does not change, the conversation around Gyokeres will keep circling back to the same fact, four Premier League appearances and 80 minutes, with the next window opening in January.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →