Renowned former Arsenal defender Martin Keown had some valid concerns about the performance of Viktor Gyokeres, who returned to the starting lineup after recovering from an injury that kept him out since November. The Swedish striker, who had only made substitute appearances in the last three Premier League matches, was given another chance to prove himself in the midweek Champions League game against Club Brugge.
However, Gyokeres had a quiet evening at the Emirates on Sunday as the Gunners secured a last-minute win over bottom-of-the-table Wolves. He only managed to touch the ball 15 times and had a solitary shot on goal before being substituted in the 81st minute for Gabriel Jesus, who made an immediate impact off the bench and played a key role in Arsenal's late winner.
Keown, while discussing the winner, pointed out Jesus' movement as a crucial factor in the goal and believes that it may have given manager Mikel Arteta something to think about in terms of starting him over Gyokeres. The former defender also noted that Gyokeres still lacks the required fitness level for the English top flight and there is a competition for the No. 9 spot between him and Jesus.
After the game, Arteta defended Gyokeres' performance and stated that it is a collaboration between him and his teammates to get him the ball in dangerous areas more quickly and precisely. The manager also highlighted the striker's work-rate and intentions during the game.
With a full week off before their next game against Everton, Keown believes that the extra rest comes at the perfect time for the league leaders, who have had a busy schedule with midweek fixtures for the past three weeks. He also stated that it is important for the players to mentally and physically relax, as they have been playing many games in a short amount of time.
Looking ahead, City and Villa will have a chance to close the gap on Arsenal this weekend, as they face Crystal Palace and West Ham respectively. And while the manager will undoubtedly demand a high standard from his team, Keown believes that a break is much needed for the players to recharge and come back stronger for their upcoming games.
