Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres has spoken out following a worrying head injury sustained during the Gunners’ 2–0 victory over Athletic Club in their Champions League opener. The Swedish international collided with teammate Gabriel Magalhães in the first half, prompting immediate medical attention and concern from fans and pundits alike.
Collision and Recovery
The incident occurred around the 30-minute mark at San Mamés Stadium, as Gyökeres and Gabriel both contested a high ball. Gyökeres came off worse, suffering a cut to the back of his head. After receiving treatment, he returned to the pitch sporting a black headband and continued playing until the 65th minute, when he was substituted for Leandro Trossard.
Despite the scare, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reassured supporters post-match:
“I think they are all good,” Arteta said, referring to both Gyökeres and Mikel Merino, who also suffered a head knock during the match.
Gyökeres Speaks Out
On Wednesday, Gyökeres broke his silence via Instagram, posting a photo from the match with the caption:
“Great to be back in @ChampionsLeague with a win 💪🥷”
His message confirmed his recovery and reflected his excitement at returning to Europe’s elite competition.
Tactical Substitution, Not Injury-Driven
Arteta clarified that Gyökeres’ substitution was tactical rather than medical. With the game opening up and Athletic Club deploying a high defensive line, the manager opted to introduce fresh legs and more dynamic movement.
“He’s played a lot of minutes as well, and my feeling was we needed fresh men,” Arteta explained. “Leo [Trossard] brings something very different… and Martinelli as well”.
Trossard and Martinelli went on to combine for both goals, sealing a professional win for Arsenal.
Thierry Henry’s Analysis: Room for Growth
While Gyökeres has impressed since his £64 million move from Sporting CP, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry offered a critical assessment of the striker’s decision-making during a key moment in the match.
“The ball has to go here, across the defender. There’s no way that those guys should catch you if you take care of the ball properly,” Henry said on CBS Sports. “He’s going to have two chances to do it. He won’t do it. He doesn’t even look at what’s happening. He’s praying. They are praying.”
Henry’s comments suggest that Gyökeres still has room to refine his technical execution and composure in high-pressure situations — especially away from home.
Eyes on Manchester City
With Arsenal preparing for a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City, Gyökeres is expected to be fit and available. Arteta will be hoping the striker can channel Henry’s advice and deliver a more clinical performance as the Gunners aim to maintain their strong start to the season.
For now, Gyökeres’ resilience and positive attitude have reassured fans — and his Champions League journey is just beginning.