Gyokeres gives Arteta selection dilemma after extending Nations League scoring run

Viktor Gyokeres has strengthened his case for an Arsenal starting place by scoring in a seventh successive Nations League appearance for Sweden.

The striker scored the only goal in Sweden’s 1-0 win over Romania in Bucharest on Monday, continuing a remarkable run in the competition.

Three days earlier, Gyokeres set a Nations League record when his goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina made him the first player to score in six consecutive matches. He has now found the net in all four of Sweden’s fixtures in the current campaign, taking his international total to 25 goals.

His form could not have come at a more significant time for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Gyokeres is still waiting for his first goal of the season and has made only two Premier League appearances, both from the substitutes’ bench.

Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday, with Arteta potentially facing a decision over whether to hand the 28-year-old his first start. Kai Havertz is now an injury concern after leaving Germany’s international camp early with a hamstring problem.

That could create an opening for Gyokeres to lead the Arsenal attack against Leeds.

Arteta also received encouragement from Riccardo Calafiori, who scored his first goal for Italy in their 3-1 victory over Turkiye.

The defender’s strike came during an important win over a strong opponent and underlined the attacking contribution he can provide from full-back. Calafiori has displayed those instincts since joining Arsenal and said Arteta has urged him to continue making forward runs when the opportunity arises.

“I spoke to the coach and he himself told me that if I have this impulse to go and attack the spaces I have to do it, because it comes naturally to me,” Calafiori told Rai Sport.

“Obviously it has to be done with the head, with the ideas and in the right moments, but when they leave me free I can express myself much better.”

Arteta must still wait for the rest of his international players to return before he has a complete assessment of his squad ahead of the Leeds match.

Declan Rice withdrew from England duty before the international break but is expected to be available on Saturday. Max Dowman also pulled out of the England Under-19 squad, while Ezri Konsa returned early from senior international duty because of a quad problem.

Arsenal will be seeking a response after suffering their first Premier League defeat of the season before the break. The Gunners were beaten 3-0 by Brighton in their previous league match.