Arteta Faces Selection Questions as Gyokeres Struggles Despite Arsenal’s Carabao Cup Progress

Arsenal may be celebrating their qualification for the Carabao Cup final, but discussions around Viktor Gyokeres’ role in Mikel Arteta’s squad continue to grow louder. The Gunners secured a 4–2 aggregate victory over London rivals Chelsea, sealing the tie with a late counterattack goal from Kai Havertz after a tense second leg.

Gyokeres, a £64 million summer signing, endured a difficult night at the Emirates. Despite entering the game with four goals in six appearances, the Swedish forward failed to make a significant impact and was substituted in the 20th minute, with Havertz coming on to help change the tempo of the match.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol did not hold back in his assessment, suggesting that Arteta may need to rethink Gyokeres’ position in the attacking hierarchy. Speaking on ESPN, Nicol argued that the striker has yet to separate himself from teammates Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, or Mikel Merino — players he believes contribute more consistently to Arsenal’s overall play.

Opinion: While criticism is part of football, Gyokeres’ situation highlights the pressure that comes with big-money transfers at elite clubs. Arsenal’s system demands intense pressing, movement, and creativity — qualities that sometimes take new strikers time to fully adapt to. Dropping him to the “bottom of the pile” may feel harsh, especially when confidence can define a forward’s success. However, Arteta’s strength has always been competition within the squad, and moments like this can either shape a player’s resilience or expose gaps in consistency.

For Arsenal fans, the bigger picture remains positive: a place in the Carabao Cup final and a squad filled with attacking options. The question now is whether Gyokeres can respond to criticism and prove he belongs among the Gunners’ most trusted forwards, or if others will continue to seize the spotlight when it matters most.