Keown claims Arsenal star ‘not at the level’ after Wolves win amid astonishing title claim
Joe Williams Martin Keown during his role as a TV pundit.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown thinks Viktor Gyokeres is still some way off “the fitness level you would expect” as the Gunners edged out Wolves on Saturday.
Gyokeres has eased back into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI after returning from an injury that he picked up in a match against Burnley at the beginning of November.
After coming off the bench in three Premier League matches in a row, and making a start against Club Brugge in the Champions League in midweek, Arteta handed Gyokeres his first league start since returning.
The 27-year-old played 81 minutes as Arsenalbeat Wolves 2-1 but he struggled to have a big impact against Rob Edwards’ relegation-threatened side.
After Tolu Arokodare’s header had cancelled out a Sam Johnstone own goal, Gyokeres’ replacement, Gabriel Jesus, made a big impact as Yerson Mosquera headed the ball into his own net, for the Arsenal winner, under pressure from the Brazilian.
When discussing the Arsenal winner on TNT Sports, Keown said: “I think it’s Jesus’ movement that ultimately helps.
READ:?Ten summer transfer ‘fixes’ already in need of an upgrade features Gyokeres and Chelsea trio
“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.”
Arteta defended Gyokeres’ display after the match, he 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.”
MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365… *?Arsenal so bad that late, late victory over Wolves doesn’t even have Hallmark of Champions *?Arsenal: Gyokeres sent warning as surprise £52m replacement named; Arteta ‘problem’ explained *?Viktor Gyokeres a ‘real waste of money’ but is he worse than Joao Pedro?
Keown insists “the whole title was on this game” with the whole “world” wanting Arsenal to slip up and allow others into the Premier League title race.
He added: “You?don’t?want to be playing like that too often if you want to be champions.
“I think the whole title?was on this game because the commotion around, and the noise around.
“There is a lot of feeling – if you support Arsenal, there is a lot of feeling against the club. Lucky Arsenal is back… It has been an unlucky Arsenal for me [recently].
“The world and his man wanted Arsenal to slip up here tonight.
“Credit to Wolves and their manager – they were transformational tonight in their performance.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: “That was massive for Arsenal. To find a way to win when they hardly created any moments.
“Wolves were exceptional, they?couldn’t?have played any better. Arsenal weren’t at their best but?they’ll?be absolutely delighted.”
Arsenal Gabriel Jesus
Related Articles
Editor F365
Arsenal star ‘called out’ as Spurs handed ‘huge boost’ and World Cup ‘nightmare’ emerges
Liverpool are eyeing not one but two stars to replace Mo Salah while an Arsenal star has been ‘called out’ and Spurs get a ‘boost’.
Mediawatch Viktor Gyokeres Lewis Oldham
Carragher tells Arsenal to replace summer signing as he reveals ‘worry’ for CL – ‘it’s not clicked’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has told Arsenal to sign a replacement for summer signing Viktor Gyokeres and has revealed another “worry”.
Arsenal Jamie Carragher Joe Williams
Arsenal make ‘first offer’ of £43m for Gyokeres replacement as ‘top priority’ becomes clear
Arsenal have made their ‘first offer’ to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane ahead of the summer, according to reports.
Arsenal Viktor Gyokeres Lewis Oldham
Mikel Arteta told to snub Arsenal star vs Man City and start ‘real handful’ in Carabao Cup final
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been told to start a “real handful” against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Arsenal Kai Havertz Joe Williams
Lineker urges Arteta to drop Arsenal star ahead of Champions League match vs Leverkusen
Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker reckons Kai Havertz would be a better choice than Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal going forward.
Arsenal Gary Lineker Will Ford
Owen rivals Arsenal mouthpiece Keown with absurd take on Liverpool
In another edition of ‘Pundits As Mouthpieces For Former Clubs’ we bring you Michael Owen’s astonishing take on Liverpool.
F365 Says Martin Keown
Latest Football News
Tottenham player-manager one of seven interim ‘options’ to replace Igor Tudor
Ben Davies Harry Redknapp
Tottenham next manager timeframe revealed after Tudor exit as ‘Spurs man’ backed
Igor Tudor
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor exit and tease ‘new Head Coach’
Igor Tudor Roberto De Zerbi
‘Not Harvard English’ – Toni Kroos confused by Geordie accent as brother Felix hails Newcastle ‘summer’
Toni Kroos
Hungary manager hits out at Arne Slot ‘nonsense’ after telling Liverpool boss ‘not to interfere’
Arne Slot Mailbox
Man Utd ‘in purgatory’ under Carrick as Klopp ‘logic’ dispels top replacement doubts
Michael Carrick
Carrick in or out? Man Utd would be stupid to rush manager decision
Michael Carrick Popular
Rashford, Foden, Gordon to Liverpool proposed as Salah debate rages on
Mohamed Salah Popular
Mo Salah is no Luis Suarez; the Liverpool fan verdict is in
Mohamed Salah Popular Premier League Table Full Table
#
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
View More
Mediawatch
Arsenal star ‘called out’ as Spurs handed ‘huge boost’ and World Cup ‘nightmare’ emerges
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal face summer ‘transfer conundrum’ as Mo Salah ‘dream club’ revealed
Mohamed Salah Popular
Salah exit prompts ‘genuine concern’ about Premier League as two Liverpool mysteries solved
Mo Salah Popular
Arsenal season starting to unravel as ‘injury crisis’ hits at ‘worst possible time’
Copyright Notice: The content of this article is contributed by Internet users. The views only represent the author. This site only provides information storage services and does not own ownership or bear relevant legal responsibilities. If you find any suspected infringement or illegal content, please contact us. We will delete it immediately after verification.