Viktor Gyokeres injury: Charles Watts makes North London derby prediction in latest Arsenal update

Arsenal expert Charles Watts said exclusively Sports Mole the last one on Viktor GyokeresThe Swedish striker continues his rehabilitation following a hamstring problem.

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Gyokeres came off at half-time during the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Burnley in early November – a withdrawal which immediately raised concerns – and Mikel Arteta later confirmed the striker had injured a muscle.

Gyokeres missed subsequent clashes with Slavia Prague and Sunderland due to injury, joining his fellow attackers. Kai Havertz And Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines, but it was reported that he was in contention to return for north London derby on November 23.

Now, Watts has confirmed Arsenal are ‘hopeful’ of involving the 27-year-old against Tottenham HotspurAnd if Gyokeres passes a fitness test, the reporter expects him to be inserted straight back into the starting lineup.

“I can’t say for sure that it’s going to happen,” Watts said. “There are a lot of checks and tests to go through. It’s going to be tight – that Tottenham game is three weeks away from Burnley, and best case scenario a hamstring will last three weeks if it’s the lowest grade.

“So it’s going to be tricky, but the hope is that he might well be involved. And we think if he is involved, unlike a lot of others, he’s been playing pretty regularly until recently. It won’t take him that long to get up to speed.

Viktor Gyokeres prediction for Arsenal vs Tottenham

“If he’s fit and ready, you think he’s starting. If Havertz is fit and ready, he won’t start. He’s been out for so long, but Gyokeres doesn’t have that problem. I don’t think Gabriel Martinelli has that problem either. Although, the way Leandro Trossard plays, I’d be very surprised if Gabriel Martinelli started against Tottenham.

“Gyokeres is the one who, when you look at the squad, you would think would go straight into the starting line-up if he is fit. Martin Odegaard would also be interesting if he gets there. Mikel hasn’t been afraid to throw Martin Odegaard straight back into a line-up. We’ve seen that before when he’s been out for a long, long time. He’s a player who Arteta clearly believes can handle him.

“And (Noni) Madueke was close for Sunderland. I’m sure he’ll be back for that first game. That Sunderland game, the changes Mikel could have made coming off the bench if some of those players had been involved, absolutely fantastic. I can’t see how the equalizer will happen. It’s going to be huge to have them back. Arsenal have done brilliantly to get to where they are without so many players.”

Gyokeres produced arguably his best 45 minutes of football in an Arsenal shirt at Turf Moor, scoring the opening goal from close range following a corner, before launching a wonderful long pass to Trossard in the build-up to Declan Rice’s goal.

The Swedish international’s header against Burnley represented his sixth goal of the season for Arsenal in all competitions, before his replacement Merino scored a brace in the Champions League triumph over Slavia Prague last week.

The Spaniard also claimed an assist for Bukayo Saka. 2-2 draw against Sunderland last weekend, but he failed to disrupt the Black Cats’ backline as a centre-forward, continuing his mixed fortunes in that role after last season.

Why Viktor Gyokeres’ return is most important for Arsenal

While Noni Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli and Havertz could also be back for the derby, Watts claimed Gyokeres’ upgrade could be the most crucial boost Arteta could receive.

Asked if Gyokeres’ return was the most important, Watts said: “As for the game against Tottenham, you would say yes. He is aware, despite missing a few weeks, he will be ready to go. He is in good shape, he is playing well, the players have adapted to playing with him. And that will only cause Tottenham a lot more problems.

“If you ask (Micky) Van de Ven and (Cristian) Romero who do you want to play against, Mikel Merinos or Viktor Gyokeres, I know what answer they will give every day of the week.

“It’ll be a much more comfortable game for them when they just have to look ahead, because that’s where Merino will be the whole time. He’s not going to run around and turn them around and pick them apart.”

Watts also discussed Jesus’ return to training after an ACL injury and gave his verdict on if he would sell the Brazilian striker when he returns to full fitness in January.

> Click here to listen to the full discussion on Arsenal’s injury situation

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