As many as five Arsenal players are in contention to lead the frontline on Wednesday evening
07:00, 13 Jan 2026
Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on December 30, 2025 in London, England
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Viktor Gyokeres could be dropped by Mikel Arteta on Wednesday night(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has a difficult decision to make ahead of Arsenal's clash against Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The Spaniard must decide who shall lead the frontline at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Viktor Gyokeres suddenly faces strong competition for a place in the starting lineup, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz back in contention. The duo missed the first half of the season due to injury, but they've recently returned to action.
Even Gabriel Martinelli has staked a claim to spearhead the attack, scoring a hat-trick in the Gunners' win over Portsmouth at the weekend. Not to mention Mikel Merino, who's previously relished the role for club and country.
So, with that being said, writers at football.london have had their say on the striker situation at Arsenal.
Ryan Taylor
I have to say, I find it difficult to envisage things working out long term for Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal. His arrival was championed by Andrea Berta, who managed to get Mikel Arteta on board with the signing around March time last year.
The difficulty is, the Gunners had also clearly been keen on Benjamin Sesko which suggests there wasn't 100 per cent confidence in Gyokeres from the get-go. The deal Berta brokered for Gyokeres was somewhat impressive financially but he was a signing for the here and now.
Seven goals, in a side that has excelled in all competitions this season, is an average return but what's more concerning is the Swede's poor touch, lack of movement and ability to make things happen.
Kai Havertz is undoubtedly Arteta's go-to guy but I suspect minutes for Mikel Merino and Gabriel Jesus could follow too as Gyokeres has flattered to deceive over the festive period.
Sam Truelove
I would start Gabriel Jesus against Chelsea and probably bring Viktor Gyokeres on. It's a big game and the Brazilian deserves the chance to go again, while there should also be minutes at some point for Kai Havertz as well.
Gyokeres has struggled, there is no question about that, but a couple of weeks out of the spotlight will do the Swede good. I quite like Gyokeres and think he will come good, but things are just not happening for the big man at this moment in time.
Jesus is a decent replacement and has looked sharp, too, so it will be a good test against Chelsea to see where the former Man City man is at.
Tom Canton
It honestly feels like it is almost impossible to discuss Viktor Gyokeres in either a defensive or scrutinising way without pigeon-holing yourself into one of the two camps which appear to be emerging. For the record, I think you can support a player and still criticise them, to want them to do well but admit when perhaps a change is needed, for their benefit.
That is where I am with Gyokeres, and seeing the numbers support the argument is always going to be key. He’s ranking so low across so many metrics for the Premier League and the 33 other centre-forwards to play over 500 minutes that it is so hard to justify.
Especially when in the two games Gabriel Jesus has started, Arsenal recorded two matches with over three expected goals, one of which, against Crystal Palace in the League Cup, was their highest of the season, 3.63. That cannot be a coincidence.
Now Kai Havertz is coming back, the quicker the German gets minutes and confidence, and is in a position to start, he’s my man for the remainder of the season. No question.
Jake Stokes
I would start Gabriel Jesus against Chelsea and bring on Kai Havertz in the final half an hour. If the former Blues forward was fit, he'd get the nod, but he's only had 20 minutes or so under his belt since returning from a lengthy period on the sidelines.
Mikel Arteta just needs to swallow his pride and just bench Gyokeres. The Swede has been really disappointing this season, and a spell out of the limelight could take some weight off his shoulders.
While Gyokeres hasn't been great, I don't think he fits Arsenal at all. The Gunners don't play to his strengths. He was the master of transitions at Sporting, and now he faces a low-block every week!
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That's not to say that Gyokeres should be let off the hook. He shouldn't. But I'd like to see how he gets on when he's brought off the bench in a stretched game.
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