Paul Merson urges Mikel Arteta to recall Arsenal star for Atletico clash | Football
Paul Merson has urged Mikel Arteta to recall Viktor Gyokeres to his starting XI for next week’s Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid.
The Sweden international has scored 18 goals in his first season at the club after his arrival from Sporting CP last summer but was dropped to the bench for his side’s biggest game of the season against Manchester City last week.
With the Gunners in desperate need of a victory against Newcastle United on Saturday, Gyokeres was named among the substitutes again with Havertz given the nod up front, just as he was last week at the Etihad.
Havertz’s evening was brought to an end after 33 minutes however, suffering what appeared to be a groin injury. Mikel Arteta was hopeful it was not a major issue when he spoke at full-time but club legend Ian Wright was left fearing the worst over the injury.
Arsenal head to Spain for the first leg of their semi-final clash with Atletico on Wednesday with Havertz now a major doubt.
While Gabriel Jesus is available with Mikel Merino also hoping to return soon, Merson believes the midweek game at the Wanda Metropolitano is an ideal game for Gyokeres.
‘He [Gyokeres] will still play a big part in it [Arsenal’s title run-in],’ Merson told Sky Sports.
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‘For me, he plays in Europe on Wednesday night because he will hold the ball up. Arsenal will be under pressure and it will be a difficult game for them in Madrid.
‘That’s when you need Gyokeres to get you a throw in down the touchline, he runs after lost causes.
‘The biggest time the whole crowed lifted today was when he cleared the ball from a corner and chased it down there and won it back and it lifted everybody.’
Havertz will be assessed in the coming days with Wright fearing he may be out for a ‘lengthy’ period.
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‘I’m quite concerned when you consider he has broken down again,’ Wright told Premier League Productions.
‘You can see how disappointed he is and you can tell when you see someone walking off like that… you can see the difference in Eze walking off and the difference in Havertz walking off.
Eze is saying he’s alright and it’s precautionary. But with Havertz, that looks like a lengthy one.’
MORE: Ian Wright snubs Viktor Gyokeres and names his replacement for injured Kai Havertz
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Paul Merson urges Mikel Arteta to recall Arsenal star for Atletico clash | Football
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