Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Viktor Gyokeres
Josh Lawless
A section of Arsenal fans have decided that one of their top players has stopped passing to striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres signed for the Gunners in the summer for a fee of £63.5 million and was touted to be the focal point their team had lacked under Mikel Arteta as they looked to finally get over the line in the Premier League.
Arsenal do lead the table going into 2026 after taking 42 points from 18 games following a 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday.
Gyokeres was one of many new arrivals at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, moving alongside the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.
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However, the former Sporting CP striker has struggled - notching five times in 16 games in the Premier League.
The Swede cored the winner at Everton with a penalty but has struggled to make an impact at Arsenal and was below-par against former club Brighton - spurning a straightforward chance early on that many felt he should have put away.
Gyokeres had two shots, completed six passes and had 17 touches in the win before being replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the 71st minute.
The 27-year-old has looked short of confidence for large parts of the season and after the latest display, a number of Arsenal supporters believe Gyokeres' struggles are impacting Bukayo Saka.
In fact, many feel as though the England international is genuinely deciding against passing to Gyokeres.
On X, one fan wrote: "Saka legit looks like he's refusing to pass to Gyokeres."
A second added: "Saka is genuinely actively trying not to pass to Gyokeres."
A third said: "I actually think Saka hates Gyokeres. He never passes it to him. That last passage of play Gyokeres was open for the cutback and Saka still puts it across the box where no-one is."
A fourth asked: "Why is Saka not passing the ball to Gyokeres?"
Gyokeres was signed to be Arsenal's No.9 but Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havetz returning to action, as well as Mikel Merino deputising, means that he is not even guaranteed to be a starter.
In general play in the Premier League, Gyokeres' goals have come against Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Burnley.
Arsenal's final game of 2025 comes on Tuesday when they take on high-flying Aston Villa at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Former manager Unai Emery has led Villa to 11 wins in a row, including coming from behind to beat Chelsea on Saturday.
Third in the table, the West Midlands side are one of two teams to beat Arsenal in the Premier League.