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Gyokeres is Training at Arsenal and he is Recovering well
Viktor Gyokeres injury: Charles Watts makes North London derby prediction in latest Arsenal update
Arsenal expert Charles Watts has exclusively told Sports Mole the latest on Viktor Gyokeres’s injury as the Sweden striker continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem.
Gyokeres went off at half time in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Burnley at the start of November – a withdrawal that sparked
immediate concern – and Mikel Arteta confirmed afterwards that the striker had damaged a muscle.
Gyokeres missed subsequent clashes with Slavia Prague and Sunderland as a result of his injury, joining fellow strikers Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, but it has been reported that he is bidding to come back for the North London derby on November 23.
Now, Watts has confirmed that Arsenal are ‘hopeful’ of having the 27-year-old involved against Tottenham Hotspur, and if Gyokeres does pass a fitness test, the journalist expects him to be thrown straight back into the starting lineup.
“I can’t say for certain that is definitely going to happen,” Watts said. “There’s a lot of checks and tests to go through. It’s going to be close – that Tottenham game will be three weeks from Burnley, and best case scenario, a hamstring is three weeks if it’s the very lowest grade.
“So it’s going to be touch and go, but the hope is that he could well be involved. And you think if he is involved, unlike a lot of the others, he’s been playing fairly regularly until recently. He’s not going to take as much time to get up to speed.
Viktor Gyokeres prediction made for Arsenal vs. Tottenham
“If he’s fit and he’s ready, you think he starts. If Havertz is fit and ready, he’s not going to start. He’s been out for so long, but Gyokeres doesn’t have that issue. I don’t think Gabriel Martinelli has that issue either. Although the way Leandro Trossard’s playing, I’d be very surprised if Gabriel Martinelli started against Tottenham.
“Gyokeres is the one when you look at the group, you’d think he would go straight into the starting lineup if he’s fit. Martin Odegaard would be an interesting one as well if he makes it. Mikel has not been scared to throw Martin Odegaard straight back into a lineup. We’ve seen it before when he’s been out for a long, long time. He’s a player who Arteta clearly believes can handle it.
“And [Noni] Madueke was close to Sunderland. I’m sure he will be back for this first game. That Sunderland game, the changes that Mikel could have made off the bench had some of these players been involved, absolutely fantastic. I don’t see any way that equaliser is coming. It’s going to be massive to have them back. Arsenal have done brilliantly to get to where they are without this lot.”
Gyokeres produced arguably his best 45 minutes of football in an Arsenal shirt at Turf Moor, nodding home the opening goal from close range following a corner, before spraying a wonderful long pass out to Trossard in the build-up to Declan Rice’s goal.
The Sweden international’s header against Burnley represented his sixth goal of the season for Arsenal in all competitions, before his replacement Merino netted a brace in the Champions League triumph over Slavia Prague last week.
The Spaniard also claimed an assist for Bukayo Saka in that 2-2 draw with Sunderland last weekend, but he failed to trouble the Black Cats’ backline as a centre-forward, continuing his mixed fortunes in that role after last season.
Why Viktor Gyokeres’s return is most important for Arsenal

While Noni Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli and Havertz may also be back for the derby, Watts has affirmed that Gyokeres getting back up to speed might be the most crucial boost Arteta can receive.
Asked if Gyokeres’s return was the most important, Watts replied: “In terms of the Tottenham game, you would say so. He’s up to speed, despite the fact he’s missed a couple of weeks, he’ll be ready to go. He is in a good run of form, playing well, the players have adjusted to playing with him. And it will just cause Tottenham an awful lot more problems.
“If you’re asking [Micky] Van de Ven and [Cristian] Romero who do you want to play against, Mikel Merino or Viktor Gyokeres, I know which answer they’re going to give every day of the week.
“It’s going to be a much more comfortable game for them when they’re just having to look in front of them, because that’s where Merino is going to be all the time. He’s not going to be running, turning them around and pulling them apart.”
Watts also discussed Jesus’s return to training after an ACL injury and delivered his verdict on whether he would sell the Brazilian striker when he returns to full fitness in January.
Arsenal extended their lead over Premier League title rivals Manchester City to seven points after a narrow 1-0 win against Brighton, with Bukayo Saka’s ninth goal of the season proving decisive.
Mikel Arteta’s side claimed another hard-fought three points despite creating no big chances and registering just seven shots on goal, only two of which tested goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
While Arsenal’s defence once again drew praise for a resilient display, with Cristhian Mosquera impressing in the absence of the injured William Saliba, the Gunners’ midfield showed little spark.
Martin Zubimendi’s display was a particular concern among supporters, who appeared far from pleased with the Spaniard’s struggles at the Amex on Wednesday night.
Arsenal Fans Tear Into ‘Ghost’ Martin Zubimendi

Zubimendi was the subject of heavy criticism from Arsenal supporters for Thursday’s display, with some even labelling the Spaniard a ‘ghost’ following his uninspiring performance.
One fan said: “Zubimendi is basically a ghost in these games man, this guy offers absolutely nothing defensively.”
Another added: “Zubimendi shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter next season.”
A third commented: “Zubimendi really struggling with the pressing intensity in this league. Takes forever to let a pass go and gets dispossessed as a result.”
Another suggested: “Zubimendi has been shocking for 3 months, Rice clearly injured. Play Prem-proven Christian Norgaard who’s been excellent every time he’s played for us? No hermano.”
One supporter questioned: “What has Zubimendi done to Arteta to not take him off?”
Another observed: “Zubimendi is nowhere to be seen in this game and Eze.”
A fan concluded: “Zubimendi is actually a disgrace. He’s hiding from the pocket of space when we have a clear superiority in our own third.”
Zubimendi has been instrumental for Arteta ever since his summer arrival from Real Sociedad, missing the starting line-up just once in 30 Premier League games this season.
No Arsenal player has logged more minutes across all competitions than the Spaniard, who has also contributed nine goal involvements in 2025/26.
Arsenal Extend Lead Over Man City

Wednesday’s Premier League action saw Arsenal extend their advantage over main title rivals Manchester City, who dropped points at home in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand, they now trail the Gunners by seven points after failing to turn their dominance into three points against Forest.
Arsenal return to Premier League action in 10 days, when they host Everton at the Emirates, while Man City visit West Ham, also on March 14.
The Gunners face Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, before travelling to Bayer Leverkusen for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
ARSENAL'
He’s been linked with a move to the Gunners, but was also spotted talking to Pep Guardiola after full-time
Newcastle Have Obvious Sandro Tonali Problem After 5-1 Man City Thrash
Arsenal fans are making the same point about Sandro Tonali after Manchester City’s 5-1 rout of Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. The midfielder looks to have outgrown his current surroundings as the Eddie Howe project stalls, with it seeming increasingly likely he could be on the move sooner rather than later.
Wednesday night’s contest was effectively over before it had really begun. Omar Marmoush struck in the seventh minute and added a second before the half-hour mark, while Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 on the night before the break. Anthony Elanga’s consolation goal just after half-time did little more than momentarily distract from the fact the Magpies have slipped into a rut this season.
Sitting 11th in the Premier League after winning the League Cup last season – their first major honour since 1955 – points to a clear lack of progress under Eddie Howe. Add to that just one win in their last seven matches, plus a gruelling run of four straight away games following this weekend’s visit from Brentford, and it’s no surprise supporters are feeling uneasy under an ownership that has the money to aim for much higher.
Sandro Tonali Transfer Interest Hots Up After Man City Rout

The former Gunners’ target was seen deep in conversation with Pep Guardiola (watch the incident below) following a dispiriting performance from his teammates. But those of an Emirates Stadium persuasion are keen for the club to reignite their interest in the Italian midfielder and try beat their title rivals to his signature.
“No wonder Tonali was begging his agent to get him a move to Arsenal. They are absolute trash,” one X user remarked, as another continued: “No serious player is going to Newcastle again. Tonali welcome to Arsenal.” Elsewhere, a third added: “Newcastle squad getting ripped apart this summer. Welcome to the Arsenal, Tonali…”
Man City Want Him: Newcastle Star Spotted in ‘Deep Conversation’ With Pep Guardiola
“Don’t worry, your star players will leave this summer, and we’re taking Tonali,” another Gunners’ supporter warned, as a fifth concluded: “I can see why Tonali wants to join Arsenal. Newcastle are s***.”
How Tonali Performed Amidst The Chaos
With Mikel Arteta already stacked in midfield, with the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and club captain Martin Odegaard looking irreplaceable, the Spanish boss’ insatiable desire for better means he will likely find it difficult to ignore just how calm Tonali looked in an otherwise messy performance from Newcastle in midweek.
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In his 90-minute display, the 25-year-old completed 93 per cent of his passes, created a big chance, and managed to get a shot on target. In defence, he won both of his two tackle attempts, won four of his eight ground duels, and made seven recoveries. It’s the kind of performance that would have any manager’s attention, and could see him get his move elsewhere in the summer.
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