Injured Viktor Gyokeres will miss Arsenal's Premier League clash with Sunderland

The 27-year-old Swede, who has been in blistering form since joining from Sporting in the summer for €63 million plus add-ons, limped off at half-time during Arsenal's 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday, after opening the scoring himself.

Subsequent scans in London confirmed a muscle strain, forcing him to miss Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League win away to Slavia Prague.

New Sweden manager Graham Potter also omitted Gyokeres from his first national squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia later this month, opting to prioritise the player's recovery.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his concern, given Gyokeres' explosive style of play. "I am concerned because he hasn't had many muscular issues and he had to leave the pitch after feeling something," Arteta said after the Burnley match. "That's never a good sign, especially for a player who relies on power and explosiveness."

Arteta added that the club's medical staff are still assessing the extent of the problem. "We are digging deeper to understand where we are in terms of his injury, and we'll communicate when we know more," he said. "He was disappointed after the match, but this is part of football. Progress isn't always linear."

Reports suggest Arsenal hope to have Gyokeres fit for the north London derby against Tottenham on 23 November.

In his absence, midfielder Mikel Merino led the line in Prague and scored twice, securing Arsenal's fourth successive clean sheet in as many Champions League games this season. The Spaniard is expected to retain his attacking role against a confident Sunderland side sitting fourth in the table.

With Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke all pushing for returns, and Gabriel Jesus still sidelined until late December, Arteta faces a testing few weeks.

Despite the growing injury list, Arsenal remain top of the Premier League with 25 points from 10 matches, six clear of Manchester City, but Gyokeres' setback has underlined the fine margins in their title pursuit.