Arsenal's hard-fought 1-1 draw with ten-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday has sparked debate over Mikel Arteta's attacking options, with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres coming under scrutiny.
The Gunners were forced to settle for a point in a fiery London derby, despite their numerical advantage after Chelsea's Moises Caicedo saw red in the 38th minute for a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino.
Enzo Maresca's side defied the setback to take the lead shortly after half-time through Trevoh Chalobah. Arsenal's equaliser came in the 59th minute, with Mikel Merino heading home from a superb Bukayo Saka cross.
The result concludes a demanding week for the league leaders, whose advantage at the Premier League summit was trimmed to five points following Manchester City's win. However, victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich prior to the Chelsea game ensure momentum remains high.
Ian Wright's Blunt Verdict on Gyokeres' Missed Chance
The post-match discussion focused heavily on a pivotal moment in the dying seconds. Substitute striker Viktor Gyokeres, a £64 million arrival last summer, returned from injury and found himself unmarked in the six-yard box, ready to meet a Piero Hincapie cross.
In a cruel twist, teammate Jurrien Timber leapt in front of the Swedish international, connecting with the ball but sending his header wide. Arsenal legend Ian Wright expressed his astonishment, stating he would be 'devastated' in Gyokeres' position.
"I'm thinking Gyokeres… if this is me, I'm going be screaming so loud anyone in front of me is gonna drop out [of the way]," Wright said. "That is what I have always been told, you have to shout and let them know you're coming because then Timber moves his head out of the way and Gyokeres comes in and gets a clean header."
Wright emphasised that the forward must be more commanding, insisting the missed opportunity was a direct result of a lack of communication in a critical moment.
Theo Walcott Predicts Arteta's Big-Game Striker Choice
Adding to the narrative around Arsenal's attacking hierarchy, former Gunner Theo Walcott offered a telling prediction. Speaking as a pundit for Sky Sports, Walcott suggested that despite the return to fitness of Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, Arteta's faith lies elsewhere for the most significant fixtures.
Walcott believes Mikel Merino, originally signed as a midfielder, has earned the manager's trust when deployed in a false-nine role. The Spaniard scored his fourth goal of the season against Chelsea, reinforcing his value in big matches.
"I think Mikel Merino is more trusted in the big games, he's a player that you know what you're going to get," Walcott stated. "He's got so much more experience in these games, I think Gyokeres will be more of an impact player in the big games. He [Arteta] trusts Merino a lot more."
This analysis implies that Gyokeres may have to bide his time and learn from the sidelines during crucial encounters, with Merino remaining Arteta's preferred tactical choice up front.
Looking Ahead to Brentford
The attention for Arteta's squad now swiftly turns to Wednesday night's Premier League fixture against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners will be hoping to re-establish a more comfortable lead at the top of the table and put the debate around their striking options to rest with a convincing performance.
