(Credit: Imago)

Jonathan Burnett

Tue 19 August 2025 16:08, UK

Viktor Gyokeres’ substandard debut against Manchester United could coincide with Leandro Trossard’s last appearance in an Arsenal squad.

'Goals are coming' - Arsenal fans react to Viktor Gyokeres message following debut frustration	Stats show Viktor Gyokeres was let down by Arsenal teammates on debut vs Man United	Hugo Ekitike debut ranked against Viktor Gyokeres after dream Liverpool start at Anfield

Arsenal came away from Old Trafford with three points won by the narrowest of margins after Riccardo Calafiori‘s 13th-minute header, which was laid on a plate for him by Altay Bayindir‘s error at a corner.

The Manchester United goalkeeper’s blunder proved costly despite the Gunners’ failure to frequently test him throughout the rest of their 1-0 win, with Gyokeres firing a blank on his first Arsenal appearance.

Mikel Arteta made defensive-minded changes to close out Arsenal’s victory with Gyokeres withdrawn on the hour mark and new full-backs brought on to replace Calafiori and Ben White, as Trossard was left on the bench.

Gyokeres’ stats against Man United make for wretched reading.

The Sweden international failed to attempt a shot in a single match for the first time since he left Coventry City in 2023, while he created zero chances and completed just four passes (FotMob).

Only three of the 27-year-old’s 21 touches came inside the opposition box, while Gyokeres was beaten in five of his six aerial duels and five of his seven ground duels.

Mikel Arteta’s side were second-best against Man United despite their victory (Credit: Imago)

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Jamie Carragher argued that Arteta would drop Gyokeres ahead of Arsenal’s crunch match against title rivals Liverpool on 31 August, but it’s unlikely that Trossard will be the player to replace him up front.

The Belgian has been overtaken in the pecking order at the Emirates, and Mick Brown told Football Insider that Trossard is “open” to leaving Arsenal this summer with his game-time set for a huge slump.

Kai Havertz is more likely to displace Gyokeres in the starting XI after coming on for the Swede at Old Trafford, but Arsenal’s new £64million frontman posted a defiant message on Instagram on Tuesday.

In a post liked by the exit-linked Trossard, Gyokeres said: “Proud moment to make my Premier League debut for this special club and to start the season with a win”.

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Football Insider Verdict

Trossard wasn’t the only Arsenal attacker left on the bench against Man United with Ethan Nwaneri also failing to muster any minutes in their 1-0 win, but Arteta’s use of his five substitutions was telling.

Both Havertz and another debutant in Noni Madueke were introduced on the hour for Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli, suggesting both the Brazilian and Madueke are ahead of Trossard in the pecking order.

With prior interest in a £70million move for Martinelli from Saudi Pro League clubs failing to come to pass this summer, the writing is on the wall for Trossard at the Emirates if he’s to salvage a place in Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad.

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