Viktor Gyokeres delivered a goal and an assist in Arsenal's 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory at Chelsea. The Swedish striker has faced heavy scrutiny since his high-profile move to the Emirates. Despite the criticism, manager Mikel Arteta has consistently backed his new number nine.

This performance was significant because Gyokeres has struggled to find the net consistently since arriving. His contributions came from high-pressure situations, attracting multiple defenders to create space for teammates. This specific skill set is exactly what Arteta values in a center forward for a side that has played without a natural striker for seasons.

Arsenal teammates like Declan Rice publicly praise his work rate, noting how his runs disrupt opposition defenses. While Arteta called it a 'really good performance,' the forward must now build on this display. Finding consistent finishing remains the final hurdle for him to silence his critics permanently in North London.