It’s like it was written. Ben White crossed, and Victor Gjokeres put the ball into the net from close range. Both were teammates in the Brighton youth team and one of their coaches? Liam Rosenior.
But this was not just a friendly gathering. With a goal and an assist in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Rosenior’s Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, this might just be the day Gjokeres really showed his worth.
Gjokeres’ goal was a tap-in with the goal gaping, his assist to Martin Zubimendi looking like a simple shot. But it was more than that, because they both had one thing in common: he was surrounded by multiple players.
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Big moment for Viktor Gjokeres as the striker tries to double Arsenal’s lead after a mistake by the Chelsea keeper.
For his goal, two Chelsea players stretched for the ball as he headed the ball home. For Zubimendi’s goal, the Spaniard had space to finish as the Arsenal centre-forward drew three players around him before making the cut.
It was another reminder that Gjokeres is the Premier League footballer who has the least space of the defenders. But this may be the performance that shows the Swedish striker has finally come to grips with his challenge at Arsenal.
Attracting defenders is a big plus for Giokeres this season. It didn’t go unnoticed that two of Arsenal’s three goals came from open crosses.
Creating space for those crosses and other key forwards is the skill Mikel Arteta, who has consistently selected him, values most in him – in an Arsenal side that has barely played a natural centre-forward for the last three seasons.
“A goal is always expected and we demand a lot more than that,” said Arteta of Gjokeres after the Chelsea game, labeling it a “really good performance”. “Viktor was exceptional in many departments.”
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Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports to reflect on his Arsenal side’s good win, but admits it could have been better.
“What he brings to the team is a lot. Sometimes I understand people don’t appreciate it, we certainly do, and on top of that he was rewarded with a goal.
Amidst the noise surrounding his lack of goals, there were signs below the surface that Giokeres was beginning to offer more.
It even came in the first half at Stamford Bridge, where the Swede rolled away from a defender and saw a deflected shot whistle past the far corner.
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Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink discuss whether Victor Gjokeres should have been ruled offside for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final opener against Chelsea, following Antoine Semenya’s disallowed goal against Newcastle.
In another 3-2 away win – this time at Bournemouth – Gjokeres occupied multiple defenders as he chased down Gabriel Martinelli’s strike. Those defenders were dragged away, leaving Declan Rice on the edge of the box to meet Martin Odegaard’s shot and score his first goal of the night.
Rice recognized it: “If he hadn’t run away from Gabi (Martinelli’s) move and held it, and set it up for Martin, the goal to turn the game upside down wouldn’t have happened.”
“I see this guy every day. I see how he finishes, how he hits the ball hard. When that space is there for him and the ball gets to his feet to score, he’s going to score 100 percent.
“But defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor Gjokeres because he is one of the best strikers in the world – of course when you play with the best players.
“It’s difficult for him because he has two defenders on him the whole game, so he has to use his strength or whatever he can do to help the team.
“Trust me, he’s doing amazing for us. We wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
So perhaps this is the beginning of a brighter period ahead for Giokeres – but there is still work to be done. Consistency is key – and we’ve been here before with the Arsenal striker.
Gjokeres scored twice against Atletico Madrid, got another against Burnley 10 days later – but then went down. Received a confidence-boosting penalty at Everton.
“Of course, his best quality is putting the ball in the back of the net, but he was in those positions many times today,” Arteta said. A few more goals in the next few games and Giokeres could move on from all the negative marks it has received lately.