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Viktor Gyokeres started for Arsenal in their win over Aston Villa but Jamie Carragher has delivered a scathing verdict of the striker's recent performances
Jamie Carragher believes Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are better centre forward options for Arsenal than summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after their 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
Despite starting the game, Gyokeres failed to get on the score sheet while Jesus got Arsenal’s fourth goal of the game after making an appearance from the bench.
Jesus had spent the majority of the season on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury he suffered back in January. The Brazilian has now made five appearances for Arsenal this season, with his strike against Villa his first goal since last season on New Year’s Day.
Gyokeres was signed by Arsenal in the summer in a deal worth around £63million, ending the Gunners' long search for a new striker. The Sweden international has scored seven goals for Arsenal since his move from Sporting Lisbon.
After Arsenal’s win over Villa, Carragher delivered his verdict on both Jesus and Gyokeres, including who he believes should be the Gunners’ starting striker going forward.
"I am a huge fan of Jesus. Always have been. He's not always an amazing finisher, but he's a fantastic footballer," Carragher said on Sky Sports.
"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's 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."
Arsenal's next match will see them face Bournemouth on January 3 in their first match of the New Year and the first with the January transfer window open.
It remains to be seen who Mikel Arteta will choose to start at centre forward when Arsenal face the Cherries at the weekend, with Gyokeres, Jesus and Havertz all part of the squad that beat Villa on Tuesday night.
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