Jamie Carragher has dramatically changed his opinion on Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, lavishing praise on the Swedish international after his standout performance in the north London derby. This marks a notable reversal from Carragher's previous stance, where he openly questioned Gyokeres' role in Mikel Arteta's starting lineup.
From Criticism to Acclaim
Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, initially struggled to adapt to the Premier League, netting just five league goals in his first campaign. This slow start led to widespread scrutiny, with some pundits and fans doubting the wisdom of the Gunners' significant investment in the 27-year-old forward.
However, since the beginning of the year, Gyokeres has ignited his form, culminating in a career-best display for Arsenal during their emphatic 4-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday. The striker scored twice, playing a pivotal role in dismantling their arch-rivals and earning plaudits from across the football world.
Carragher's Previous Doubts
In December, Carragher was vocal in his skepticism, stating that Gyokeres "shouldn't be starting" matches, especially with Gabriel Jesus returning to fitness. The Sky Sports pundit suggested that the Swede was far down the pecking order and expressed surprise at Arteta's continued faith in him.
Yet, following the derby triumph, Carragher offered a glowing assessment. "The thing I like about Viktor Gyokeres is his mentality," he told Sky Sports. "I don’t think he’s a world-class striker or an amazing striker for Arsenal for the next five years. But I absolutely love his mentality. There’s no lack of confidence with him, he just gets the ball and bangs it in, it’s Alan Shearer-like, that sort of mentality."
Praise for Arteta's Management
Carragher also credited Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his persistence with Gyokeres. "As Gary Neville said on commentary, I think that’s the best we’ve seen Gyokeres play in an Arsenal shirt, it was an absolutely fantastic finish," Carragher added. "He could be vital and what I would say is here, is credit the manager. I felt they had to come away from Gyokeres and I thought at some stage it might cost them."
He continued, "But the manager has stuck by him week after week and the strength he showed in this game, it was very Alan Shearer-like. We were looking at the strikers Arsenal had and I felt he was quite far down the pecking order and a few times I was quite surprised that Gyokeres was still in the team. But fair play to the manager because he’s kept him in and he’s repaid him in one of Arsenal’s biggest games of the season."
Impact on Arsenal's Season
Gyokeres' resurgence comes at a crucial time for Arsenal, as they push for success in the Premier League. His two goals against Tottenham not only secured a vital win but also demonstrated his growing confidence and integration into Arteta's system. This performance could prove to be a turning point, silencing critics and solidifying his place as a key figure in the squad.
The striker's Shearer-esque mentality, as highlighted by Carragher, underscores his determination to succeed despite early challenges. With continued support from his manager and improved form, Gyokeres is poised to play a significant role in Arsenal's ambitions for the remainder of the season.
