Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson praised Striker Viktor Gyokeres’ performance against Chelsea, calling it “a significant step in the right direction.”
Gyokeres scored his first goal from open play in 16 matches and assisted Martin Zubimendi during their thrilling 3-2 victory over the Blues on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old’s standout performance earned him the player of the match award and provided a much-needed boost after a shaky start to his Arsenal career, where he has only managed eight goals in 25 outings.
“Most fans I talk to want to support him. They can see his dedication,” Jenkinson noted on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. “As a striker, his primary role is to score goals, and his all-around display was impressive. This is one of the first times I’ve seen him and thought he looked like a genuine striker.”
“If he maintains this level, I believe he will keep earning his spot in the lineup. [Kai] Havertz is a particularly talented player, and when he’s fully fit, it will be a close call for me. It’s a nice dilemma for [Mikel] Arteta to have.”
Despite the win at Stamford Bridge, both the team and supporters felt a pang of disappointment for not securing a larger lead, having been up by two goals on two occasions.
“Before the match, fans would have accepted this result. However, it’s a bit disheartening that we didn’t achieve a bigger margin. Any victory at Stamford Bridge is a positive, and we must view it that way,” Jenkinson added.
“Mikel Arteta might feel frustrated because having a two or three-goal lead heading back to the Emirates could have allowed for player rotation. Stamford Bridge is always a challenging venue, so in the grand scheme, it’s a solid result.”