Why a Swedish court could sideline Gyokeres in 2026
Arsenal may have to plan without Viktor Gyokeres for parts of 2026, with the Sweden international set to give evidence in a defamation case back home. The striker has been summoned as a witness in a trial brought by his agent, Hasan Cetinkaya, against two Swedish outlets, Fotboll Sthlm and Expressen, after reporting that linked Cetinkaya to organized crime. Cetinkaya denies the claims and is seeking to clear his name in court.
Gyokeres is not under investigation and faces no allegation of wrongdoing. His testimony is considered important context in the dispute, which reached a flashpoint during Arsenal’s move for the forward this summer. Swedish police were drawn into the picture when a relative of Cetinkaya was reportedly targeted after boasting about a cut of transfer funds, an episode that added urgency and scrutiny to the negotiations.
The timeline matters for Arsenal. Proceedings are scheduled for 2026, when the club could be navigating a tight domestic and European calendar. Courts do not schedule around football, and a witness summons is a legal obligation. In Sweden, witnesses are expected to attend in person unless a judge authorizes a video link. Failing to appear when ordered can lead to fines or further measures. That’s why Arsenal staff will be working early with lawyers on both sides to understand dates and whether remote testimony is possible.
There is some flexibility built into the Swedish system. Judges can allow video testimony to reduce travel and disruption, especially for witnesses based abroad. Hearings are often planned months in advance, and counsel can request specific days or windows. None of that guarantees a football-friendly schedule, but it offers routes to minimize clashes with matchdays and travel-heavy weeks.
The football angle is straightforward: Gyokeres has hit the ground running in North London after arriving from Sporting. He has two goals in his first three Premier League appearances, including games against Manchester United, Leeds and Liverpool. Arsenal lost 1-0 at Anfield in an early test of title credentials, and the forward’s fast start makes him central to Mikel Arteta’s attack after last season’s injury squeeze, when midfielders were pushed into forward roles during absences for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
The coming weeks are busy: Nottingham Forest are up next in the league, followed by a Champions League opener away to Athletic Bilbao after the first international break. That pace won’t let up in 2026. With a World Cup that summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada, European club calendars are expected to remain tight, leaving little room for unexpected absences.
What it means for Arsenal’s season
How many games could he miss? That depends on the court schedule and whether the judge allows remote testimony. A short in-person appearance could mean one missed match if travel and preparation are handled cleverly; multiple hearing days could mean more. Arsenal will try to route any in-person testimony through midweeks or during international breaks, but the final say sits with the court.
Clubs deal with this more often than it seems. When players are lawfully required to appear, teams coordinate logistics, legal support, and security. The goal is to protect the player’s routine and mental load. Expect Arsenal to plan travel windows, stagger training, and lean on sports psychology staff to keep Gyokeres in rhythm if he has to step away, even briefly.
There’s also the competitive picture. Arteta retooled heavily this summer, with Arsenal’s spending topping £260 million to push the squad over the line in big games. Gyokeres is part of that push, and FourFourTwo’s ranking of him as the eighth-best striker in the world underlines why. If he’s out for any stretch, Arteta will likely rotate between a false nine and a more direct option, depending on opponent and form, to preserve the pressing structure and chance creation around him.
Key practicalities to watch:
- Scheduling: The court will set dates well in advance. Look for signals from Sweden on whether testimony will be a single day or a block of days.
- Format: In-person vs. video link. A remote appearance drastically cuts disruption to training and travel.
- Match impact: If in-person, a Tuesday or Wednesday slot could affect a midweek game or preparation for a weekend fixture.
- Player welfare: Arsenal will manage workload and recovery on either side of any court date to avoid soft-tissue injuries.
Beyond logistics, there’s the human side. Being drawn into a high-profile court case—even only as a witness—can be draining. Clubs now treat legal commitments like they would a major international trip: controlled schedules, limited media exposure on the day, and quick re-integration into team routines. The intention is to keep the player’s focus on football while meeting the demands of the legal process.
What happens next? In the short term, nothing changes. Gyokeres trains, plays, and scores. Arsenal prepare for Forest and Bilbao. On the legal side, lawyers in Sweden will confirm witness lists, propose windows, and discuss whether video testimony is acceptable. Once dates are set, Arsenal will lock in contingency plans and adjust their rotation accordingly.
If you’re an Arsenal supporter, the takeaway is simple: the club can’t stop a court summons, but it can reduce the fallout. The most likely outcome is a carefully managed appearance—ideally by video—that limits football disruption. If the court insists on in-person testimony, expect a brief absence rather than a long spell out. For now, Gyokeres remains available and important, and Arsenal are treating 2026 as a planning problem to solve, not a crisis in waiting.