Theo Walcott believes that Mikel Arteta now views Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal’s second-choice striker behind Mikel Merino for the big matches.
Gyokeres has been sidelined since November 1 with a hamstring injury, but away at Stamford Bridge, the Swede made his return to action.
The striker was forced to watch on as Mikel Merino added to his Arsenal goal tally and salvaged a point for the Gunners.
Following the points being shared between Arsenal and Chelsea in West London, Theo Walcott thinks Arteta’s first-choice number nine is now clear.
Theo Walcott issues warning to Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
Walcott has warned Viktor Gyokeres about Mikel Arteta’s stance that he could be saved for the games against weaker opposition.
Gyokeres was passed fit to play against Chelsea following a late test and was handed 18 minutes off the bench against the Blues.
However, it was Merino who was the player who scored for the Gunners, as he produced his 28th goal involvement for club and country in 2025.
When asked whether Merino is now Arteta’s main striker, Walcott told Sky Sports: “I think he’s more trusted in the big games.
Is Theo Walcott right that Mikel Arteta trusts Mikel Merino over Viktor Gyokeres?
“I think he’s a player that you know what you’re going to get, 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.
“I just think he trusts him a lot more, but for Gyokeres, I think it will do him a lot of good to just watch on the outside. He’ll want to play, but will learn a lot from what Merino does.”
Jurrien Timber snatched the chance away from Gyokeres to win the game, as the Dutch defender got in his way of a clear header.
Otherwise, it was a rather quiet cameo for the 27-year-old in SW6, leaving Merino’s spot in the team very safe for now.
Alan Smith defends Viktor Gyokeres’ collision with Robert Sanchez
Alan Smith has leapt to the defence of Gyokeres following his nasty-looking collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The Arsenal legend believes that the striker was well entitled to challenge for the ball, with the chance to score the winner.
Was Viktor Gyokeres lucky to only be booked vs Chelsea?
Alan Smith on Gyokeres’ challenge on Sanchez
“If you’re a centre-forward you’re going to go for it. Pure and simple. By the time he arrived, Sanchez had two hands on the ball. But he’s looking at a tap-in here, he’s not going to turn that down.”
Was Gyokeres entitled to challenge for the ball with Sanchez? Let us know by leaving a comment…
Gyokeres ended up being shown a yellow card for his challenge on the goalkeeper, with VAR clearing the incident for endangering the opponent.
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