Jamie Carragher slams Viktor Gyökeres and demands Arsenal striker change

Jamie Carragher has delivered a brutally honest assessment of Viktor Gyökeres’ recent Arsenal performances, insisting Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are both better options to lead the line — and calling for the Gunners to rethink their striker hierarchy.

The comments came after Arsenal’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, a result that moved Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Despite starting the match, Viktor Gyökeres failed to make an impact in front of goal, while Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to score Arsenal’s fourth and final goal of the night.

Gyökeres joined Arsenal in the summer from Sporting CP in a deal worth around £63m, ending the club’s long pursuit of a recognised No.9. He has scored seven goals since arriving in north London, but Carragher believes his all-round game is falling short.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher was blunt in his assessment.

“I am a huge fan of Jesus. Always have been,” Carragher said. “He’s not always an amazing finisher, but he’s a fantastic footballer.

“The one negative out of tonight for Arsenal is that Gyökeres should not be starting when they have players like this.”

Carragher went even further, arguing that once Jesus regains full sharpness after his long injury lay-off, he should be ahead of Gyökeres in the pecking order.

“In a couple of games’ time, when Jesus is a bit more up to speed, he should be starting,” Carragher added. “He’s a better player than Gyökeres — that’s a fact.

“There’s been questions in the past about whether Jesus is good enough to win Arsenal the league. But right now, he’s better than the guy they brought in who they thought was going to win them the league.”

Carragher also included Kai Havertz in his critique, suggesting Arsenal already have superior internal options.

“Him or Havertz as the central striker is a better player than Gyökeres,” he said. “He lacks finesse and quality when you think of what Arsenal have on the bench.”

Jesus has only recently returned after spending much of 2025 sidelined with a knee injury suffered in January. His goal against Villa was his first since New Year’s Day last season and marked his fifth appearance of the current campaign.

With Arsenal flying in the title race, Arteta now faces a genuine decision over his centre-forward role — one that could define the coming weeks.

Arsenal return to action on January 3 against AFC Bournemouth, their first match of 2026 and the first with the January transfer window open.

Whether Arteta sticks with Gyökeres, restores Jesus to the starting XI, or leans on Havertz’s versatility remains to be seen — but Carragher’s verdict has certainly added fuel to the debate.

Is Carragher right — should Arsenal move away from Gyökeres already, or does the striker deserve more time to justify his £63m price tag?