Overview
- Wayne Rooney defended Viktor Gyokeres’ contribution, stressing his work occupying centre-backs and predicting he would have a significant role if Arsenal win the league.
- Rooney argued Bukayo Saka should have taken the spot-kick at 0-0, while Jamie Carragher and Alan Shearer praised Gyokeres’ mentality and emphatic penalty technique.
- Mikel Arteta said Martin Odegaard, Saka and Gyokeres decided the taker during the match, and Gyokeres described the on-field discussion as straightforward.
- Criticism persists, with talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings calling Gyokeres a “dud” boosted by “charity penalties” and Gary Lineker judging him a level below Erling Haaland.
- Arsenal sit first at Christmas as Gyokeres expresses optimism about team spirit; he has five Premier League goals in 15 games (seven in 20 overall) with competition for the No 9 role set to rise as Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus near returns.