Redknapp was impressed by one Arsenal starplaceholder image
Redknapp was impressed by one Arsenal star | Getty Images for Sky Sports
Viktor Gyokeres scored a big goal for Arsenal to help them to a Carabao Cup win over Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Gyokeres scored Arsenal’s second, with Ben White delivering a firm cross that proved too hot for Robert Sanchez to handle, though it was a clear mistake from the Chelsea goalkeeper, who should have pushed the ball away instead of trying to gather it off the slippery surface. Gyokeres was waiting behind Sanchez and nudged the ball home from a yard or less to pick up an important goal.
Gyokeres has faced criticism over his lack of goals, with this one being only his eighth across all competitions. Mikel Arteta and others have defended the striker for his hard work off the ball, but ultimately, Arsenal spent big money on the forward because he is a goalscorer, and they need him to show that side of his game as they chase down the Premier League title.
Wednesday night’s goal was a step towards that, and speaking after the game, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said; “This was a good night for him. An exceptional night. A lot of the time, the crosses he would've been getting predominantly would've been from a right-footed right wing-back and a left-footed left wing-back.
"When he plays for Arsenal, the major problem is Bukayo Saka plays on the right and he's left-footed. So, when Bukayo gets into that position, instead of firing it across the face of goal, he wants to chop back. That's where the frustration comes from."
On Arsenal win, Redknapp added: “It was a game Arsenal could've been really comfortable in. They made a lot of changes towards the end of the game. I just felt that goal that Chelsea got right at the end has put a nice complexion on things from Liam Rosenior's point of view, but Arsenal will be kicking themselves. They will put on a brave face. They would've taken it before the start of the game. It is still a good result. But this game could've been dead and buried."
Gyokeres on his goal and the Arsenal win
Gyokeres himself spoke to Sky Sports after the game, taking the positives from the win despite the obvious feeling that the Gunners should have put this one to bed. "I think it was a tough game,” he said. “ We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they have counter-attacks, but I think we defended well. Unfortunate to have conceded two but offensively we scored three, so happy with that.
"That's what I need to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going. It's still a second leg but of course it's good to come away with a win and advantage for the second leg, but we still have to do a good performance in the second match.”
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