It was as if it was written. Ben White crossed and Viktor Gyokeres put the ball in the net from close range. Both of them were team-mates at Brighton’s youth team and one of their coaches? Liam Rosenior.But this was not just a friendly reunion. With a goal and an assist in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Rosenior’s Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, this may just be the day where Gyokeres really showed his worth.
Gyokeres’ goal was a tap-in with the goal gaping, his assist for Martin Zubimendi looked like a simple flick. But there was more to it than that, as both had one thing in common: he was surrounded by multiple players.
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A big moment for Viktor Gyokeres as the striker pounces on a mistake from the Chelsea keeper to double Arsenal’s lead.
For his goal, two Chelsea players were stretching for the ball as he bundled the ball home. For Zubimendi’s goal, the Spaniard had space to finish because Arsenal’s centre forward had attracted three players around him before laying it off.It was another reminder that Gyokeres is the Premier League player afforded the least amount of space by defenders. But this may be the performance that shows the Swedish forward is finally getting to grips with his Arsenal challenge.
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Viktor Gyokeres is given by far less space to operate than any other Premier League player
Attracting defenders has been the big plus-point from Gyokeres this season. It did not go unnoticed that two out of Arsenal’s three goals came from open play crosses.
Creating the space for those crossers and other key attackers is the skill that Mikel Arteta, who has kept picking him, values in him most – in an Arsenal side who have barely played with a natural centre forward for the last three seasons.
“The expectation is always to score, and we demand much more than that,” said Arteta of Gyokeres after the Chelsea game, branding it a “really good performance”. “Viktor has been exceptional in many departments.
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2026-01-14 23:31:00
