Can Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres play against Manchester City after head injury? What Fantasy Premier League managers need to know

Viktor Gyokeres had suffered a head injury following a collision with his teammate Gabriel Magalhaes during his Champions League debut for Arsenal against Athletic Club. The Swedish striker went down as the headbutt caused a cut on the back of his head and needed a lengthy on-pitch treatment from the medical team. Gyokeres, however, was all right to continue playing after a black head wrap was used to cover his wound. A player being allowed to continue with a head injury means that the cut was stabilised.

With the bandage on, Gyokeres, Arsenal's prized signing who scored six Champions League goals for Sporting Lisbon last season, missed a golden chance shortly after the break. He evaded his marker with ease and rose to meet a well-placed free kick from Declan Rice but his header went well wide of the target.

Larer, he was subbed off in the 65th minute before substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard ensured they won the away fixture 2-0.

On Sunday, Arsenal are up against Manchester City at home, one of the most important fixtures for the team in the broader context. City are not at their best, but Erling Haaland's return to fine touch is a major boost for Pep Guardiola. Arne Slot's Liverpool having established itself as a force to be reckoned with means the Premier League is no longer a two-horse race between City and Arsenal. However, if it becomes a close call as the season progresses, Mikel Arteta would love all three points at home against City. The haffer would love to have his best marksman lead the charge and fans worry if the head injury would rule him out of the contest.

As things stand, there is no reason for concern about the striker's fitness. In a post-match interaction, Arteta had confirmed that the reason for pulling Gyokeres off against Athletic Club was for tactical purposes. He was fit to resume, and so was teammate Mikel Merino, who also suffered a head injury in a separate incident. The gaffer said the duo were doing "all good". The 27-year-old also appeared on social media after the match with positivity and excitement about being back in the Champions League, indicating his confidence and well-being have not been hit.

However, when a head injury occurs, more medical checkups will follow. To play on Sunday, Gyokeres will have to be cleared medically, including concussion tests and head trauma analysis. Fatigue or lag caused by the knock could linger in some cases, reports claimed. But, as long as there are no indications from Arsenal's medical staff that he is at risk of playing immediately, Viktor Gyökeres could start against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. As things stand, this seems to be a likely scenario.