‘You have to be ruthless’ – Ian Wright questions Arteta amid Gyökeres concerns

Ian Wright has openly questioned Mikel Arteta’s in-game decisions after Arsenal were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Liverpool, with concerns continuing to grow around Viktor Gyökeres’ role as the focal point of the attack.

The stalemate at the Emirates meant Arsenal missed the chance to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, after Manchester City dropped points against Brighton earlier in the week.

Arsenal started brightly against a depleted Liverpool side and created enough pressure in the first half to justify a lead. However, they failed to capitalise, with Conor Bradley striking the crossbar in the game’s clearest moment.

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Ian Wright felt Arteta waited too long to inject energy after the break.

“You have to credit Liverpool for their second-half performance, but in the first half Arsenal created enough chances and got the ball in the box enough that meant you have to take an opportunity,” Wright said.

“I would have liked to have seen Jesus earlier and Madueke a bit earlier to get a bit more pace into the game.”

Arteta introduced Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke in the second half, but Wright believed the changes came too late to shift momentum.

“You have to take those opportunities because you might not get too many more,” he added.
“Liverpool had the better chances in the second half, but it’s another one for Arsenal to learn from.

“I’m happy they got a point rather than nothing… but you have to be more ruthless in the first half. If they score those chances there’s no nerves in the second half.”

Wright felt Arsenal’s approach shifted as the match wore on.

“We looked like a team that didn’t want to lose the game. You could feel nerves. But the attitude has to be to win games — and if you don’t, then you take the point.”

Much of the post-match focus centred on Viktor Gyökeres, who endured another difficult evening.

Despite Arsenal creating promising situations, the £65m summer signing failed to register a single shot — a statistic Wright found concerning.

“In those moments when the game’s tight, you’re not going to get many chances,” Wright said.
“That’s what we thought we bought and that’s what you need.

“Look at the balls that went across goal. When you’re paying that kind of money, they have to be there. That’s what makes the difference in games like this.”

As Arsenal grew more anxious in the second half, Wright felt the lack of a decisive presence in the box became increasingly costly.

“You get more and more nervous and deeper, and you can’t do that. We need to finish games off more comfortably than we are at the minute.”

Arsenal remain in pole position in the title race, but fixtures like this underline the fine margins at the top. With pressure mounting and chances at a premium, Arteta faces growing decisions around his attacking setup — particularly whether Gyökeres should continue to lead the line.

As the season enters its decisive phase, Arsenal’s ability to turn dominance into goals may ultimately decide their fate.

Should Arteta persist with Gyökeres up front — or is it time for a different attacking solution to protect Arsenal’s title push?