Arsenal could hardly have asked for a stronger opening to their Premier League title defence.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won each of their first four league matches, conceding only once whilst showing the control and poise which carried them to the trophy last season.

They have also looked increasingly assured, and that was crystal clear at Sunderland last weekend.

Arsenal were made to work, David Raya saved a penalty and the contest remained tight deep into the second half, but goals from Bruno Guimarães and Bukayo Saka eventually secured a 2-0 victory and protected their perfect league record.

The good results have continued in other competitions.

Arsenal won 1-0 away to Napoli in the Champions League before a heavily rotated team beat Ipswich Town 4-2 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Max Dowman’s two goals at Portman Road were another reminder of the talent coming through the academy, while Arteta was able to rotate heavily without losing.

Arsenal now head to Brighton chasing a fifth consecutive Premier League victory.

There is strength throughout the squad, competition for places and growing belief that last season’s title can be followed by another major trophy.

However, that competition has also created an uncertain situation around Viktor Gyökeres.

The Sweden international is no longer Arteta’s automatic choice through the middle, as Kai Havertz has moved ahead of him in the Premier League pecking order, leaving Gyokeres to search for opportunities in the cup competitions.

Piers Morgan even recently claimed that Gyokeres is deeply unhappy and feels disrespected as a result.

Arteta has continued to speak positively about the striker, but a fresh report suggests his representatives are already exploring what could happen if his role does not improve.

Mark Brus, writing for The Daily Briefing, claims there have been 'initial talks' from the striker's side with AC Milan, Juventus, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.

Taking to X as well, the reporter adds that Gyokeres 'feels unsettled and undervalued', leading to unrest behind-the-scenes as the Swede's future is brought into question once again.

At this stage, the conversations are said to have taken place at agent-level, with no club-to-club contact yet.

Even so, the range of interest gives Gyokeres options.

Milan and Juventus could offer him a fresh start in Serie A, while Saudi billionaire clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad have the financial power to make an attractive proposal.

Arsenal are under no immediate pressure to sell, given Gyokeres only joined from Sporting in 2025 on a five-year contract and played his part in last season’s title success.

Arteta will also know how quickly injuries or poor form can change the attacking order, but the problem for Gyokeres is that Arsenal keep winning.

Havertz has Arteta’s trust and the manager has little reason to disrupt a successful team simply to keep another player satisfied.

There is still plenty of football to be played before January, and Gyokeres can force his way back into the side by taking his chances and showing the qualities which convinced Arsenal to sign him.

However, if he remains on the fringes, the conversations taking place now could develop into something more serious.