Arsenal latest: Mikel Arteta set for cash boost as Viktor Gyokeres addresses transfer speculation

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres has responded to the club's pursuit of another striker in the summer

Arsenal's meeting with Leeds United on October 10 offers Mikel Arteta's side the chance to put their defeat at Brighton behind them and get back to winning ways.

The Premier League champions had made an impressive start to the campaign before a shock 3-0 demolition at the Amex brought that early momentum to a halt. Seven successive victories across four competitions preceded the trip to Brighton, giving Arteta plenty to build on despite the setback.

The extended international break has, however, left the Spaniard waiting for the opportunity to work with his squad again, the bulk of whom were called up for Nations League fixtures and friendlies. Fitness will be a particular concern ahead of the return to Premier League action, with injury doubts Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and Kai Havertz among those hoping to feature in the home clash with Leeds.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Arsenal to receive UEFA payment

Arsenal are set to receive a portion of a £27million compensation package from UEFA. European football's governing body intends to reimburse clubs for allowing their players to participate in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, as part of its Club Benefits Programme.

The scheme, which rewards sides for their players' involvement in the governing body's international tournaments, will see the financial pool distributed among 611 clubs across all member associations. Across Nations League and European Qualifier fixtures, the Club Benefits Programme set a rate of €3,845 (£3,296) per eligible appearance on the match sheet.

In an official statement published on the UEFA website, the governing body’s president Aleksander Čeferin said: "The Club Support Programme acknowledges the essential contribution that clubs add to the success of national team football.

"Through this Programme, we distribute a share of UEFA EURO and UEFA Nations League revenue to clubs across Europe, professional and amateur alike, in recognition of their role in developing players and releasing them for national team duty. When football thrives, everybody benefits."

While Arsenal are only set to pocket a six-figure sum, the financial boost is nonetheless expected to prove useful ahead of the January transfer window.

Viktor Gyokeres addresses future

Gyokeres has dismissed speculation suggesting he was on the verge of leaving Arsenal in the summer. The Gunners' prolonged interest in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez was widely documented as they looked to bolster their attacking options.

Arteta had been candid following May's Champions League final defeat - a match where Gyokeres entered as a substitute and proved ineffective - that the Gunners required greater star quality in their forward line. Therefore, Gyokeres was suggested as a potential makeweight for Alvarez if Arsenal succeeded in securing the 26-year-old.

As events transpired, Alvarez chose to stay at Atletico, having seen his dream move to Barcelona blocked, leaving Gyokeres to shadow Kai Havertz this season as Arteta's back-up striker. Now, the Swede, who has found the net twice during this international break, has looked to rubbish suggestions of Arsenal attempting to offload him in recent months.

Gyokeres said: "Of course, there was a lot of speculation. But I had a full pre-season, and it felt good. I was fully focused on Arsenal. For me, staying was a given. I'm extremely happy at the club."

He continued: "It's clear that I want to play football and as much as possible. Hopefully that will come, too. You always want to be on the field as a football player. Of course you expect more playing time, but we have an extremely good squad with a lot of good players and have been doing well here at the start."

Gyokeres has played just 29 minutes of Premier League football so far this campaign. The Swede was given a starting role in the 1-0 victory over Napoli in the Champions League, while also completing the full 90 minutes of their 4-2 Carabao Cup triumph over Ipswich Town.