Arsenal’s £85M Gyokeres Move Could Spark Arsenal star Dilemma After “Destroying” Club’s Gym Records

Arsenal are edging closer to securing a blockbuster deal for Sporting Lisbon’s star striker Viktor Gyokeres, but the move could come at a surprising cost: unsettling a rejuvenated Kai Havertz, who stunned Mikel Arteta and club staff with a post-injury transformation that shattered the Gunners’ fitness records. 

According to reports surfacing Tuesday night, the Gunners have made a breakthrough in their long pursuit of a true No.9. Gyokeres, who netted a jaw-dropping 54 goals in 52 games last season — is said to be the man to finally fill Arsenal’s striker void, winning the race over RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. 

But while fans may be excited about the Swedish goal machine, questions are already being raised about what this means for Havertz, who emerged as a major figure last season before injury halted his momentum. 

Havertz had been in fine form, scoring 15 goals before suffering a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai in February. Initially ruled out for the rest of the season, the German international defied expectations with a dramatic return in the final two league games. 

“He got on board with that, he worked hard, you can see his presence and I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last 10 years,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed before the match against Newcastle. 

Arteta praised the transformation, emphasizing that Havertz’s physique, acceleration, muscle mass, and agility had all reached new levels. “There’s been a transformation in his body… it can even help him mentally as well as being more effective as a player,” he added. 

Havertz’s new physicality was impossible to ignore when he came off the bench in the final two matches. The change was so significant, some fans barely recognized him. 

While the signing of Gyokeres would be a tactical coup for Arteta, it presents a positional conundrum. Havertz’s ability to drift into attacking spaces and create chances for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli has been vital, especially in tight, high-stakes matches against top sides. 

However, with Gyokeres expected to command a starting role, Havertz may find himself squeezed out of central positions unless Arteta adapts his system to accommodate both players. That creates a potential dilemma: stick with the bulked-up, in-form German, or unleash the £85 million Swede in a bid to elevate Arsenal’s title challenge? 

The more pressing issue may be psychological. After months of intense personal development and rehabilitation, being sidelined again could dent Havertz’s morale just when he’s peaking physically and mentally. 

Of course, Arteta may relish the “problem” of having two high-quality options in his forward line. Seasons are long, and Arsenal will need depth to compete across multiple competitions. But fans know it too well, these kinds of internal battles often lead to one player rising while another fades. 

If Gyokeres does arrive, he won’t just be battling Premier League defenders, he’ll be going head-to-head with a determined Havertz, one who has reshaped his body, mindset, and mission. 

The Emirates is bracing for a fascinating internal showdown. And for Arsenal, it might just be the kind of elite competition that sparks a title-winning fire.