Arteta sends Gyokeres message after Arsenal grind out Aston Villa win

Mikel Arteta has insisted Viktor Gyokeres will get opportunities at Arsenal despite the striker remaining on the bench during the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Bukayo Saka's second-half goal secured another three points at Villa Park and maintained Arsenal's perfect start to their Premier League title defence.

However, Gyokeres was an unused substitute for the second consecutive league match, adding further uncertainty around the Sweden international's position ahead of the transfer deadline.

Gyokeres scored 22 goals last season, but his involvement has been severely restricted during the opening weeks of the new campaign.

The striker played only 15 minutes during Arsenal's Community Shield victory over Manchester City before remaining on the bench against Coventry and Aston Villa.

Kai Havertz's return to full fitness has increased competition for the central attacking position and left Gyokeres searching for opportunities.

Arteta nevertheless insists his selection decisions against Villa were influenced by the physical condition of several players rather than simply the hierarchy within his squad.

“I'm sad for the ones that didn't have the chance to play because they all want to be participating,” Arteta said.

“But sometimes you have certain issues with players physically that you have to make changes and I'm sure there are going to be minutes for everybody.”

Arsenal required patience against Unai Emery's Villa before Saka eventually provided the breakthrough.

Arteta used his bench extensively during the second half, with Eberechi Eze replacing summer signing Christos Tzolis at half-time and subsequently playing an important role in Saka's winning goal.

Mikel Merino, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa were also introduced as Arsenal protected their advantage.

“It was a squad victory and we knew it was going to be a long match,” Arteta explained.

The defensive performance was another encouraging sign for the defending champions.

Arsenal's clean sheet at Villa Park was their sixth in seven Premier League matches stretching back to the end of last season.

Arteta's promise of future opportunities comes at an important moment for Gyokeres.

His reduced role has fuelled speculation that a late transfer could still be considered, with Barcelona among the clubs linked with the striker.

There have also been suggestions Gyokeres could become part of a potential operation involving Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, although no such agreement has been established.

Arsenal's attacking options are already changing elsewhere.

Ethan Nwaneri is reportedly set to join Borussia Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the season and is due to undergo his medical in Germany.

That departure would reduce Arteta's attacking numbers, potentially strengthening the case for keeping Gyokeres beyond the deadline.

Deadline Day should provide clarity over Gyokeres' immediate future. Despite his lack of minutes, Arteta's comments suggest the striker could still have an important role during a long campaign across multiple competitions.

If Gyokeres stays, his challenge will be to force his way back ahead of Havertz and take advantage when the minutes Arteta has promised finally arrive.