Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has said that Mikel Arteta trusts a different Arsenal attacker rather thanks Viktor Gyokeres in the big games.
The Gunners come off a huge game against Chelsea on Sunday, in which they couldn’t capitalise on the Blues’ 10 men, as they couldn’t score a winning goal. It leaves them five points ahead of Man City at the top of the table, heading into their next game against Brentford.
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During the Chelsea game, striker Viktor Gyokeres returned from his injury, as he came on as a substitute in the second half. He didn’t manage to find the winner for Arsenal, and so his Premier League goal tally for the Gunners remains at four goals in 11 games.
Questions are being asked as to whether Gyokeres will start for the Gunners against Brentford and subsequently afterwards in their game against Aston Villa at the weekend.
Walcott says Gyokeres can learn from Merino
During Gyokeres’ absence, Mikel Merino started up front for Arsenal despite him being more of a midfielder. The Spaniard has scored two goals in the Premier League this season for Arsenal, including against Chelsea last time out.
Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott said on Sky Sports that he thinks Arteta trusts Merino more than Gyokeres in the big games. He said: “Merino has become a really important and integral player for Arsenal.
“When he came to the club, I thought he’d be more of a player who was controlling in a deeper role, and I think it’s like what Mikel did to Kai Havertz, he has sort of developed him into a different player.
“I think he’s more trusted in the big games. I think he’s a player that you know what you’re going to get, you know exactly the kind of game he’s going to face, and 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 trusts him [Merino] a lot more, and I think it’ll do Gyokeres a lot of good, he can learn a lot from what Merino does.”
Gabriel Jesus returned from his injury last weekend too, and with kai Havertz expected before the New Year, Arteta will have a lot of choice up front going forward.
Click here to see Arsenal’s latest transfer news ahead of the January window.