Gyokeres Under Scrutiny as Arsenal Faces Forward Dilemma

Gyokeres has managed to score only five goals in 17 Premier League appearances, placing him under considerable scrutiny. Arsenal’s attacking play has, at times, appeared disjointed, with the striker becoming a focal point of criticism rather than a solution. This scrutiny peaked during Arsenal’s dominant 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, which showcased the team’s collective strength yet exposed Gyokeres’ ongoing struggles. Despite Arsenal’s control over the match, their record signing seemed peripheral, unable to leverage the spaces created by his teammates. The comparison became evident when Gabriel Jesus, returning from a long injury layoff due to ACL surgery, entered the match and scored what many considered the goal of the night—a beautifully executed curling finish that secured the win for Arsenal.

Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports after the game, voiced his candid opinion. A long-time admirer of Jesus’ overall gameplay, the former Liverpool defender suggested that Arsenal’s depth in attacking options makes it increasingly difficult to justify Gyokeres’ position as a starter for head coach Mikel Arteta.

“The one negative out of tonight for Arsenal is that Gyokeres should not be starting, when they have players like this,” Carragher commented. “In a couple of games, when Jesus is a bit more up to speed, he should be the one starting. He’s a better player than Gyokeres—that’s a fact.”

Carragher further indicated that Kai Havertz, who has recently returned from injury, also represents a superior option compared to Gyokeres. He stated, “There have been questions in the past about whether Jesus is good enough for Arsenal to win the league. But right now, he’s better than the player they brought in, who they thought would lead them to success. Either Havertz or Jesus as the central striker is a better player than Gyokeres. He lacks the finesse and quality one would expect when considering the alternatives available on the bench. Arsenal needs to improve on Gyokeres, and they have players who can do that in Jesus.”

The criticism is likely to be disheartening for Gyokeres, whose reputation was solidified during his tenure in Portugal. His record at Sporting was impressive, scoring 97 goals in just over 100 appearances, which led Arsenal to believe they had found a ready-made solution for their longstanding striker issues. However, the Premier League has unveiled the challenges of adapting to a faster and more physical environment.

Despite the growing concerns, Arteta has consistently expressed his support for Gyokeres. Earlier this month, he emphasized the importance of putting the striker’s slow start into perspective, citing a disrupted summer and the league’s rigorous physical demands.

The Spaniard noted, “Everyone was excited to bring him to the club. We did it. We brought in a player with an incredible scoring record who needed to adapt to the league. He had no pre-season. The initial weeks were challenging because physically he wasn’t at his best, and he is a player who requires that, like any other in this league, to perform at that level. I know we need to continue to adjust and better understand him in certain situations, and he must do the same. But that takes time. We have full support for him.”

Arsenal’s commanding win over Villa reaffirmed their status as genuine title contenders, yet it also intensified the scrutiny on who should lead the attack in the crucial months ahead. With Jesus regaining his sharpness and Havertz providing tactical flexibility, the pressure on Gyokeres is mounting. The Gunners will next face Bournemouth this weekend, a match that could present another opportunity for Arteta to reevaluate his attacking strategy. Whether Gyokeres receives another starting opportunity or is relegated to the sidelines may clearly indicate where Arsenal’s confidence truly lies.