Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres has spent months being linked with moves across Europe. Spain has supplied plenty of the speculation, with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid among the possible destinations.
There have even been claims that he wants to leave in January. His limited playing time under Mikel Arteta has hardly helped quieten things down.
Yet the man at the centre of it all seems to have a rather different idea. Gyökeres has now spoken about his future, and his answer couldn’t be much clearer.
Gyökeres wants to stay at Arsenal
The 28-year-old is currently with Sweden in Valencia, preparing for Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, he was asked a straightforward question: Does he want to stay at Arsenal?
“I want to,” Gyökeres replied.
Not much room for interpretation there. And it’s quite a contrast to the stories circulating around Europe. But of course the speculation hasn’t come from nowhere.
Gyökeres struggled for opportunities early this season, with Kai Havertz preferred in attack. But things have started looking a little better.
He has recently started matches in the Champions League and League Cup, as well as making a Premier League start.
His performance against Slavia Prague was especially encouraging. A goal, an assist and a 2-1 victory gave him something to build on.
“It feels good when I’ve been playing. We’ve won most of our matches. It was a tough defeat in the cup [against Fleetwood]. Otherwise, things have felt good for me personally and for the team,” he said.
“I’ve done well recently when I’ve had the chance to play. Right now, it feels good.”
And his relationship with Arteta? No complaints there either.
“Communication with Arteta is good. We talk about football and how we should play. Before a match, if I’m going to start, we talk about the opposition and what I should be thinking about.”
Arsenal striker has little interest in outside criticism
Even his performance against Slavia Prague wasn’t enough to escape criticism. Former players Nigel Reo-Coker and Troy Deeney were among those questioning aspects of his display. Gyökeres, however, isn’t losing much sleep over it.
“Sometimes it might reach me, but generally not that much. If I score and provide an assist in the Champions League, I couldn’t care less what they say. It’s nice to put in performances like that. To deliver for myself and for the team. That’s where my focus is.”
He’s also well aware of how the football media works. Negative stories generate attention, and he’s learned to live with that.
“It’s natural too. That’s what gets the most headlines and what sticks with people when they hear it. I understand that’s how it is.”
For months, the conversation has revolved around where Gyökeres might go next, whether Arsenal could let him leave and how little football he’s been playing.
Now he’s getting more opportunities, producing goals and speaking positively about life under Arteta.
So amid all the speculation about a possible departure, there’s one fairly important detail worth remembering: Gyökeres wants to stay.
