Gabriel Jesus reaction to Viktor Gyokeres speaks volumes after Jamie Carragher blasts Arsenal star

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-1 after goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus - but Viktor Gyokeres again failed to score

Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres each embraced Gabriel Jesus on the Emirates Stadium pitch after Arsenal's 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

All three featured in a matchday squad for the first time in the Gunners' final game of the year. Gyokeres started the match, with Havertz and Jesus both named on the substitutes' bench.

The Sweden international again failed to score, extending his goalless run in open play, which dates back to before his November hamstring injury, to eight games. Jesus made an immediate impact after being introduced by scoring a stunning goal for his first since New Year's Day.

Havertz was unused on his return to the squad, but both he and Gyokeres went over to their Brazilian teammate after the full-time whistle. The former is the first to hug Jesus before the Swede brings him in for an embrace, with Jesus then putting his arm around Gyokeres.

Minutes after that touching moment between the three forwards, Jamie Carragher called for manager Mikel Arteta to drop Gyokeres for Jesus or even Havertz. The pundit made that argument on Sky Sports' post-match coverage of Arsenal vs Villa.

Carragher said: "I am a huge fan of Jesus, always have been. He's not always an amazing finisher, but he's a fantastic footballer.

"The one negative out of tonight for Arsenal is that Gyokeres should not be starting when they have players like this. In a couple of games' time, when Jesus is a bit more up to speed, he should be starting.

"He's a better player than Gyokeres - that's a fact. There have been questions in the past asking if [Jesus] is good enough for Arsenal to go and win the league, but right now he's better than the guy they brought in, who they thought was going to win them the league.

"Him or Havertz as the central striker is a better player than Gyokeres; he lacks finesse and quality when you think of what they've got them on the bench. I think Arsenal need to improve on Gyokeres, and they've got players that can in Jesus."

Arteta said after the game: "I'm very happy for [Jesus]. He's put in an incredible effort, and he's relentless; he wants more.

"He looks really, really, really happy. His emotional state is really high at the moment, and he needed that goal."

Arsenal hero Robert Pires, however, has backed Gyokeres because the striker gives "something different" to his team. He told Flaschore : "Arsenal spent a lot of money on Viktor Gyokeres, and that was a key move.

"When you want to win the Premier League, you need a striker who can score goals consistently, but also one who helps the team in difficult moments." Asked if Gyokeres was the final piece needed to win the title, Pires said: "Yes, because goals are crucial, but it's not only about scoring; he gives the team something different."