Armand Traore Questions Viktor Gyokeres’ Role at Arsenal | North London 2026

Key Points:

• Former Arsenal left-back Armand Traore has publicly questioned whether Sweden international striker Viktor Gyokeres is the suitable long-term choice for Arsenal’s attacking line-up.
• Traore stated that playing against Chelsea legend Didier Drogba during his playing career left him “scared to death,” whereas facing Gyokeres would not cause him concern.
• The former defender argued that Gyokeres acts as a “plug inside a sink,” restricting central space and forcing Mikel Arteta’s side into wide areas where they become easier to defend against.
• Mikel Arteta has preferred Kai Havertz as his central striker in the current campaign, leaving Gyokeres without a Premier League start so far this season despite finishing as the club’s top scorer during their title-winning campaign in May.

Arsenal (North London News) September 25, 2026 — As reported by Jordan Davies of SunSport, former Arsenal left-back Armand Traore stated in an interview that he remains unconvicted by Sweden international striker Viktor Gyokeres as the long-term solution for Arsenal’s attack. Traore, who came through the academy under former manager Arsene Wenger and spent six years at the North London club between 2005 and 2011, offered a direct assessment of the Swedish forward’s impact on Mikel Arteta’s side.

As reported by Jordan Davies of SunSport, Armand Traore stated that

“I’m not having Gyokeres at all. Arsenal would be better off with a striker that takes them in behind to create space to play. Gyokeres is like a plug inside a sink so they are forced to go on the outside, but that is easy to counter. That is why they relied on set-pieces a lot last year.”

Traore’s remarks come despite Gyokeres finishing as Arsenal’s highest goalscorer when the club concluded a 22-year title drought by winning the Premier League in May. Despite his goal tally, questions have surfaced regarding his tactical integration into Arteta’s overall attacking system.

How Does Facing Viktor Gyokeres Compare to Defending Against Premier League Legends Like Didier Drogba?

Comparing contemporary strikers with the opposition he encountered during his professional playing days, Traore reflected on the physical and psychological toll exacted by legendary forwards of the Premier League era. During his spell in English football, which included loan periods at Portsmouth and Juventus alongside his tenure at Arsenal, the Senegalese international regularly faced top-tier talent.

As reported by Jordan Davies of SunSport, Traore admitted that Chelsea legend Didier Drogba “scared the living daylights out of him” when they clashed on the pitch. Traore further noted that sharing the training pitch at London Colney with Arsenal all-time record scorer Thierry Henry established the definitive standard for what an Arsenal centre-forward ought to be. According to the former full-back, playing against a forward of Gyokeres’ current profile would not cause him equivalent anxiety or defensive difficulty.

Why Has Mikel Arteta Benched Viktor Gyokeres in Favour of Kai Havertz This Season?

The tactical reservations highlighted by Traore appear to mirror decisions made on the touchline by manager Mikel Arteta during the opening phase of the current Premier League campaign. Despite Gyokeres’ crucial goals during the title-winning run last term, the Spanish manager has opted for German international Kai Havertz as his primary central forward.

Gyokeres is yet to start a single Premier League fixture in the current campaign, with Havertz securing his position as the lead choice through the middle. Arteta’s strategic shift emphasises fluid positional interchanging and link-up play—traits that Havertz naturally offers over the more static physical presence of Gyokeres.

Background of the Particular Development

The debate surrounding Arsenal’s central striking role traces back to the club’s tactical transformation under Mikel Arteta over recent seasons. Following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal sought to construct an attacking unit capable of pressing intensely while maintaining technical fluidity in tight spaces.

The signing of Viktor Gyokeres was designed to provide a direct, ruthless focal point inside the penalty area following his prolific goalscoring record in European football. His arrival contributed significantly to the club’s goal tally in the previous campaign, culminating in Arsenal securing their first Premier League trophy since the undefeated 2003–04 season.

However, throughout that championship-winning campaign, sports analysts and former players noted a shift in Arsenal’s tactical output. While Gyokeres provided a consistent goal threat inside the box, his static positioning occasionally congested central channels, reducing the space available for wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as attacking midfielder Martin Ødegaard. Consequently, Arsenal relied heavily on set-piece routines designed by assistant coach Nicolas Jover to break down low-block defenses—a pattern highlighted by Traore in his commentary.

Predictions: How This Development Can Affect Arsenal and Their Supporters

The ongoing selection dilemma between Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres is likely to have direct implications for several key stakeholders connected to the club:

1. Impact on the Arsenal First-Team Squad and Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s preference for Kai Havertz signals an insistence on tactical flexibility over individual goal metrics. If Gyokeres continues to remain on the substitute bench, it could create squad friction regarding player role expectations, particularly for an established international striker who led the club’s scoring charts during a championship season. Furthermore, opposing tactical analysts may exploit Arsenal’s altered dynamic depending on which forward starts, altering defensive strategies accordingly.

2. Impact on Viktor Gyokeres’ Career Trajectory

For Gyokeres, a prolonged period out of the starting XI could lead to frustration regarding his long-term role in North London. Continued rotation or secondary status behind Havertz may prompt interest from other European clubs seeking a traditional, physical No. 9, potentially leading to transfer speculation during upcoming transfer windows.

3. Impact on Arsenal Supporters

Arsenal fans remain divided on the team’s forward configuration. While one section of the fanbase values Gyokeres’ raw finishing ability and crucial contributions to last season’s title triumph, another section aligns with Traore’s view that Havertz provides smoother build-up play and tactical harmony. The management of this selection issue will remain under intense scrutiny by supporters as Arsenal defend their domestic title and pursue success in European competitions.