Keown thinks one Arsenal star is battling for his starting jobplaceholder image
Keown thinks one Arsenal star is battling for his starting job | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
One Arsenal player has been questioned after drawing another blank on Saturday.
The Gunners gave up their lead on the stroke of 90’ before a superb Bukayo Saka cross deep into stoppage time allowed Cristhian Mosquera to steal all three points.
It was a scrappy win for the Gunners, but the type champions need to produce when they are not at their best. That will be a big encouragement for the Gunners as they get a little mid-week rest after a relentless schedule that will ramp up again over Christmas.
And during that extra time to prepare for next weekend’s Everton clash, Arteta might want to spend some time working out how to get the best out of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who is yet to hit his stride in an Arsenal shirt.
According to Keown, Gyokeres could now be in danger of losing is starting spot now that Gabriel Jesus has returned from his long injury layoff, with the Brazilian coming off the bench against Wolves,
“I think it’s Jesus’ movement that ultimately helps (create the goal),” Keown told TNT Sports. “The defender gets unlucky and Jesus doesn’t get the touch, but it’s his run and movement which helps and that is definitely food for thought for the manager.
“He looked good when he came on, and Gyokeres is still not at the fitness level you would expect, and there’s a real tussle for who is going to be that No9 and Jesus has put himself right back in there.”
Gyokeres has scored six goals in 19 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
Arteta’s defence
Arteta has regularly defended Gyokeres for his off-the-ball work ethic in the absence of regular goals. Asked about the striker after this game, Arteta said: “It’s a collaboration between the two,.
“He was in a lot of really good positions, and the ball didn’t get into the area quick enough or sharp enough or just with the precision that is required for a No9 to score the goal. But his work-rate and intentions were there and we need to keep insisting.”
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