Arsenal international not called up after weekend injury | OneFootball

Graham Potter has confirmed his first Sweden squad for the upcoming November internationals, and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres isn’t part of it.

Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Sweden have officially confirmed the first squad of Graham Potter’s spell in charge, and Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres isn’t included on the list.

Gyokeres picked up an injury during the Gunners’ game against Burnley at the weekend, with reports suggesting he’d be out until after the international break. Sweden’s lack of a call-up seemingly confirms that timeline.

There is at least some hope that the striker won’t miss too many club games, with James McNicholas reporting for The Athletic this week that Arsenal are hoping to have Gyokeres back for the north London derby on November 23rd. But that will depend on the results of further assessments.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Though Gyokeres’ absence is a blow for Sweden, the team didn’t have a huge amount to play for to begin with.

Sweden would need to win both of their remaining qualifiers and see Kosovo fail to pick up a single point just to have a chance at finishing in the runner-up spot to make the qualification play-offs.

But that would essentially change nothing, as Sweden are already likely to make the play-offs as a result of their Nations League performance.

So even in the very unlikely scenario that every November international result goes their way, Sweden’s chances of making the World Cup would be roughly the same as they are now.

Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

The primary downside of Gyokeres missing out is that these are the only games Sweden will play before those vital qualification play-offs in March.

This should have been a chance for the striker to settle in under a new manager, but instead he’ll go into the March break without an adaptation period.