Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been urged to drop new signing Viktor Gyökeres to the periphery of his attacking options following the Swedish striker’s subdued performance in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
The Gunners secured their place in the March final with a 4-2 aggregate victory over the Club World Cup holders. After a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge, a tense goalless draw at home looked possible until Kai Havertz, introduced as a substitute, scored a late counter-attack to seal the tie.
Gyökeres, the £64 million arrival from Sporting Lisbon, started the second leg but was replaced by Havertz in the 20th minute after a quiet display. The substitution was interpreted as a significant setback for the 26-year-old, who had scored four goals in his six games prior to the match.
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve Nicol, analysing the game for ESPN, suggested Gyökeres is now the least favoured option in Arteta’s forward line. “Mikel Arteta has given him six months to distance himself from Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Mikel Merino,” Nicol stated. While acknowledging the tactical system may not perfectly suit a traditional centre-forward, Nicol argued Gyökeres must still demonstrate individual quality.
“I thought he was capable of scoring goals without much effort, but so far he hasn’t managed to do that,” Nicol added. “He hasn’t been able to stand out from players like Jesus, Havertz, or Merino. Gyokeres should probably move to the back of the line right now because someone needs to contribute, and he’s not doing that at the moment.”
The advice highlights a pressing decision for Arteta ahead of the Carabao Cup final. With Jesus and Havertz offering dynamism and contribution in broader areas, and Merino providing creative support from midfield, Gyökeres’ failure to impose himself in a crucial tie raises questions about his immediate future role. His performance has stalled his initial impact, leaving him facing competition to regain a starting position in the team’s remaining cup and Premier League fixtures.
