![\"Viktor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2254678318.jpg\")
<\/p>\nViktor Gyokeres had another night to forget as Arsenal defeated Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final<\/p>\n
Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Magalhaes and Piero Hincapie(Image: Photo by Charlotte Wilson\/Offside\/Offside via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta has been told to put Viktor Gyokeres<\/a> at the ‘bottom of the pile’ following an ’embarrassing’ performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea. The 27-year-old striker was bailed out by Kai Havertz at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, with his replacement coming off the bench to finish the job<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the dying embers of stoppage time, the former Blues striker put the final nail in the coffin<\/a> and secured the Gunners a place in the Carabao Cup final. Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium next month, and Arteta has been urged to put Gyokeres at the ‘back of the queue’.<\/p>\n “Viktor Gyokeres has been giving six months now,” Steve Nicol told ESPN<\/a> after the game. “Mikel Arteta has given him six months to separate himself from [Gabriel] Jesus, [Kai] Havertz and [Mikel] Merino.<\/p>\n “I was trying to defend him at the start because the way Arsenal play isn\u2019t exactly helpful for a centre forward, but I still thought he was good enough to score goals.<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n “I thought he was good enough to get some goals out of nothing, but so far he hasn\u2019t been able to do any of those things, and he hasn\u2019t been able to separate himself from Jesus, Havertz or Merino.<\/p>\n “So if you\u2019re Mikel Arteta, before every game you\u2019ve got a decision to make. Gyokeres should actually probably be going to the back of the queue now because you have to contribute somewhere, and he\u2019s not at the moment.<\/p>\n “With Jesus and Havertz, they absolutely contribute outside of the box. So I said he hasn\u2019t separated himself from the other forwards, he might actually be at the bottom of the pile right now.”<\/p>\n Viktor Gyokeres could be dropped by Mikel Arteta on Saturday night(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Gyokeres only managed 10 touches, with only one of which coming in the first 30 minutes, before getting hooked midway through the second half. The Sweden international, whom Arsenal signed from Sporting for \u00a364million in the summer, also only completed one pass and took just one shot.<\/p>\n When asked whether Gyokeres’ performance against Chelsea will cast doubt over his future in the starting lineup, Stewart Robson said: “It certainly does because Gyokeres once again did only okay.<\/p>\n “The commentator said he only touched the ball once in the first 30 minutes, and that tells you he either wasn\u2019t making enough runs or his teammates weren\u2019t looking forward enough.<\/p>\n Viktor Gyokeres has struggled this season(Image: Photo by Julian Finney\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “It\u2019s probably both, but you want him to be more involved in the game; he\u2019s got to run the channels and be stronger when the ball comes up to him.”<\/p>\n Comparing Gyokeres to Joao Pedro, the former Arsenal midfielder said: “When the ball went the other way, Joao Pedro did more than Gyokeres did. He doesn\u2019t seem to be able to hold the ball up at the moment and bring others into play, whereas Joao Pedro did it quite often for Chelsea.<\/p>\n “There\u2019s still some work for him to do. Last year, we were saying Kai Havertz isn\u2019t a good enough centre forward, but maybe he goes back to that role because Gyokeres hasn\u2019t done good enough.<\/p>\n Viktor Gyokeres blanked again for Arsenal on Tuesday night(Image: Stuart MacFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n “We said they didn\u2019t win the title because they haven\u2019t got a proper centre forward, they\u2019ve got one now who cost a lot of money. but he\u2019s not quite at the races.”<\/p>\n This weekend, Arsenal will host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League. Robson added: “I think Jesus probably starts against Sunderland if he\u2019s fit.<\/p>\n “He\u2019s a confidence player and he\u2019s scored a few goals recently and looks sharp and hungry. Gyokeres is okay at a lot of things but I don\u2019t think he\u2019s better than the others.”<\/p>\n We’ve launched a new Arsenal podcast ‘Seeing Red’ with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta’s side every step of the way – and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n It’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League – and they’re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n We’ll provide insight and reaction – and have fun along the way – as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We’ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n![\"Viktor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1_VG.jpg\")
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Welcome to ‘Seeing Red’ – our new Arsenal podcast<\/p>\n