Viktor Gyokeres laughed off questions regarding his fitness as he left Sweden’s match against Poland in blood-stained kit.
The Arsenal striker has made a slow start to the season at club level having fallen behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order. But his fortunes have been far brighter when representing his nation.
Graham Potter called Gyokeres up to represent Sweden in this month’s Nations League fixtures and has been richly rewarded - he has started twice and found the back of the net in both matches.
There were concerns for his fitness after his late strike against Poland, though, as Gyokeres traipsed through the Strawberry Arena mixed zone at full time sporting blood stains on both socks.
He was rather droll when asked by the Swedish press about the wounds, though. Asked by Sportbladet whether he had been stamped during the match, Gyokeres replied: “Yes, that can happen sometimes.”
Asked whether he had shown the referee his injury, he continued: “No, I kept my football boots on after the match and I haven't seen him since.
“Maybe he needs to see that. But now we won and I scored, so it's nothing I need to bring up.”
It is good news for Mikel Arteta, who is already sweating over Havertz’s fitness after he withdrew from Germany’s camp citing a hamstring injury.
Speaking to Viaplay at full-time, Potter confirmed Gyokeres would be fit to feature in either of Sweden’s remaining games against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania. With Alexander Isak sent home early, he is now the Blagult’s first-choice striker.
“If I tell Viktor to rest the next game, he will rip my head off,” Potter chuckled after the Poland match.
“Of course it's tight (with matches). But it's important to recover and get ready for the next match. Matches are fun so there's nothing to complain about.”
