Liverpool’s Isak selected fro Sweden despite injury, whilst Arsenal star misses out | OneFootball

Isak Included but Gyokeres Misses Out in Sweden Squad

Sweden manager Graham Potter has named his first squad since taking over, with Liverpool striker Alexander Isak returning after a brief absence, while Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres is absent amid injury concerns.

Photo IMAGO

Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in July, is set to undergo further tests this week following a suspected hamstring injury sustained during the Gunners’ 2-1 Premier League victory at Burnley on Saturday. The 27-year-old also missed Arsenal’s Champions League win against Slavia Prague on Tuesday, and it remains unclear when he will be fit to return for both club and national team duties.

Isak has been included despite not featuring for Liverpool since 22 October because of a groin problem. The 26-year-old is set to participate in Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland on 15 November and Slovenia on 18 November. His inclusion underlines Potter’s confidence in the forward, who played a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League-winning campaign last season under Arne Slot.

England-Based Players in Squad

Alongside Isak, several England-based players have been called up. Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, recovering from concussion, and Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga are among those included. Potter, appointed on 20 October initially on a short-term basis, is working to stabilise a squad that has endured a difficult start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Previous boss Jon Dahl Tomasson was dismissed following Sweden’s 1-0 defeat to Kosovo on 13 October, which eliminated the possibility of automatic qualification from Group B. Sweden currently sit bottom of the group with just one point from four matches. Despite this, the team could still secure a play-off spot for the World Cup thanks to their recent performance in the Nations League.

Photo: IMAGO

Potter’s Approach and Squad Selection

Potter, who had spells with Brighton, Chelsea, and West Ham, has inherited a challenging situation. His squad selection reflects a balance of experience and youthful promise, with Isak providing a focal point in attack while the absence of Gyokeres raises questions over Sweden’s options in the forward line.

Injury management will be crucial as Potter looks to prepare his players for back-to-back qualifiers. Gyokeres’ hamstring issue serves as a reminder of the physical demands facing players balancing club and national team commitments. Meanwhile, Isak’s return will be seen as a boost for Sweden, offering a proven Premier League striker capable of delivering in key moments.

Squad Outlook

Sweden now faces a pivotal set of fixtures. Qualifying directly for the World Cup may be beyond reach, but strong performances in the upcoming matches could see the team advance via the play-offs. Potter’s early decisions, including Isak’s inclusion and Gyokeres’ absence, will set the tone for how the national team navigates the remainder of the campaign.

With a mix of club experience and talent emerging from domestic and English leagues, Sweden’s national team will be looking to rebuild confidence and cohesion ahead of crucial fixtures against Switzerland and Slovenia.