Viktor Gyokeres has moved to shut down suggestions he could look to leave Arsenal, telling Swedish broadcasters that he wants to remain at the club. The Mirror reports that the striker was asked by Fotbollskanalen and TV4 whether he would be staying, and answered: "I want to!"

The Sweden international, signed last summer for £63.5million, has started only once in the Premier League this season, with Mikel Arteta preferring Kai Havertz to lead the line. That has encouraged outside talk about his future, but the 28-year-old gave little indication he shares those concerns.

Form and the Fleetwood setback

Gyokeres said his own performances had felt positive when he has been involved, noting that the side has won most of its matches. He described the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two Fleetwood Town as a difficult moment, but said things had otherwise gone well for him and for the team, and that he has been doing well lately when called upon.

He has yet to get off the mark in the league this term, although he scored and assisted against Slavia Prague in the Champions League. According to The Mirror, he has also scored 10 goals in 11 international appearances, and his debut Premier League season concluded with 14 goals.

Dialogue with Arteta

The forward was keen to stress that his working relationship with his manager remains straightforward. He said the pair talk about football and how the team should play, and that before a match in which he is due to start they discuss the opposition and what he should be thinking about.

Pundit criticism dismissed

CBS Sports pundit Nigel Reo-Coker recently claimed that Arteta does not trust Gyokeres to start big matches, citing his involvement in the Fleetwood loss. Gyokeres said such remarks rarely register with him, admitting they occasionally get to him but not much overall, and that goals and assists in the Champions League carry more weight than what is said outside the club.

Merino also addresses his minutes

Mikel Merino, speaking to the media before Spain’s's match with Czechia, offered a similar message about patience. Asked about his limited playing time at Arsenal, he said: "What player wouldn't like to play more minutes?" while making clear he would not complain about a manager's decision.

Football.London reports that Merino, who started the Champions League win over Slavia Praha, called Arsenal "currently the best team in the world" and said the competition for places makes minutes hard to come by. He added that he and Martin Zubimendi are calm about their roles and eager to keep training to show they can stay involved.

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