Mikel Arteta has faced criticism regarding Viktor Gyokeres’ contribution to Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup semi-final victory against Chelsea, which secured the Gunners a spot in the final. Arsenal advanced with a 4-2 aggregate win, having previously triumphed 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Despite their success, Gyokeres’ performance has come under scrutiny, particularly after he was substituted in the 20th minute for Kai Havertz following a lackluster showing. Havertz, who previously played for Chelsea, sealed the tie for Arsenal with a goal during injury time, ensuring the team’s progress to the final.
Before the match, Gyokeres had shown promise, scoring four goals in six games. However, ESPN analyst Steve Nicol has suggested it might be time for Arteta to reevaluate Gyokeres’ position within the squad. He stated, “Mikel Arteta has given him six months to distance himself from Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Mikel Merino.” Despite initial hopes for Gyokeres to emerge as a standout player, Nicol believes he has failed to demonstrate that capability.
Highlighting the competition for places in Arsenal’s attacking lineup, Nicol noted that Gyokeres is currently overshadowed by players like Jesus and Havertz, who contribute significantly to the team’s overall performance. As the team continues to progress, Nicol suggests that Gyokeres may need to step back in the pecking order until he can consistently deliver impactful performances.
This ongoing evaluation of player performances underscores the competitive nature of Arsenal’s squad, where every player must consistently prove their worth to maintain their position.