Viktor Gyokeres recognised he must maintain high standards to retain his place as Arsenal's centre-forward, after ending a month-long goal drought in Wednesday's EFL Cup win at Chelsea.
Gyokeres scored and registered an assist as Arsenal triumphed 3-2 at Stamford Bridge to put one foot in the final, holding off an Alejandro Garnacho-led fightback in the second half.
Having gone four games without a goal since netting in a 1-0 win at Everton on December 12, Gyokeres had attracted stern criticism from pundits and fans.
His goal against the Blues – which arrived when Robert Sanchez spilled Ben White's cross in the 49th minute – was his first in the EFL Cup since netting for Brighton against Portsmouth in September 2020, and his eighth in all competitions since joining the Gunners.
Only Gabriel Martinelli (nine) has netted more for Mikel Arteta's team this season, while Gyokeres also got his first assist for the club when his neat hold-up play teed up Martin Zubimendi to score their third goal in the 71st minute.
Asked about those goal contributions by Sky Sports, Gyokeres said: "That's what I need to do, and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going.
"There's still a second leg, but of course, it's good to come away with a win and an advantage for the second leg. We still have to give a good performance in the second match.
"I think it was a tough game. We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they had counter-attacks, but I think we defended well.
"We were unfortunate to concede two, but offensively we scored three, so we're happy with that."
Arsenal are looking to halt a run of four consecutive semi-final defeats across all competitions, having been eliminated in the last four of the 2020-21 Europa League, 2021-22 EFL Cup, 2024-25 EFL Cup and 2024-25 Champions League.
It is their longest-ever run of final-four eliminations, and Garnacho's second-half brace kept Chelsea's hopes alive ahead of the second leg on February 3.
Right-back White, who got Arsenal's opening goal and later turned provider for Gyokeres, hopes Arteta's men will not regret dropping their level in the second half.
"We didn't play very well in the second half and let them put us under more pressure," White said.
"That's how we conceded the goals. It was not up to our standards really. It's a bit disappointing, the second half, but we got the win."
Iskenny
1
Lol with that tapin ??😂😂 funny guy
bamadiloty
0
Haaaaaa 🤣🤣🤣 I laugh in Chinese
24820090(deleted)
0
Ooh gosh, this is exactly what I always talk about Chelsea will make their opponents look like they are a World Class Team Every team can score against, can get 3 points against Chelsea
Brilliantmann
0
goalkeeper assist
yzi
1
and no matter how Chelsea fans wish to win vs Arsenal,but inside they know they're out of the cup,because No team is winning at the Emirates
only wolves can score for arsenal 2 own goals at varemirates stadium
yzi
1
from the goalkeeper mistake, welcome to England where you won't even make 10 gaols a season in an open play
Lidbeklruy
0
Way too much talking & noise from very average Arsenal players & Dumb fans
average players and fans but are top of the log since day one of the Epl
Lidbeklruy
0
only if the Arsenal players can learn to pass the ball to him like Ben White did yesterday , especially Odegaard , Saka and Leandro Trossard
Vukacmnorz
2
lucky you it was goalkeepers mistake
Zaadekmorz
0
Viktor is their happy
resabekpst
1
He possibly watched it on yt or FC26. 🤣
No idiot, i have forgotten more about football than you have learned. Tell me what Number he actually is. Also no team in the top 8 would pay 20ml for the greedy little piece of crap.
resabekpst
1
you definitely don't watch football cz if you did you wouldn't have written such rubbish
Screw you you are entitled to your opinion but he’s the most overrated player at Arsenal. Tell me any top 8 premier league team who would buy him for 20ml. You won’t find one. He isn’t fit to be on the same pitch as Eze.
Andile1986
0
Way too much talking & noise from very average Arsenal players & Dumb fans
hence they are top of the log . make it make sense
YakubuAutaSaad
0
In general, I thought the first half was relatively even, a bit scrappy in places with moments, if not clear cut chances, for both sides. The pitch didn’t help either. Obviously Chelsea made a conscious decision to let the grass grow in the two weeks since their last home game, and that took some of the zip out of our passing game and the way the ball moved.
Vaecimprst
0
Way too much talking & noise from very average Arsenal players & Dumb fans
Hahaaa says a stupid fool
dee_59
1
it will certainly boost his confidence
Hudacelptu
2
we believe man
ColinsGooner
2
and no matter how Chelsea fans wish to win vs Arsenal,but inside they know they're out of the cup,because No team is winning at the Emirates
nauikmosy
0
you definitely don't watch football cz if you did you wouldn't have written such rubbish
He possibly watched it on yt or FC26. 🤣
cahbdklotz
3
arsenal5364
3
and i know he will 💪💪💪💯💯💯
wusbmnrsz
2
Way too much talking & noise from very average Arsenal players & Dumb fans
Bowklnpsy
3
that was a goalkeeper mistake
Maybin_Mukalamba
3
Personally i don’t understand why Arteta is starting Trossaud so much. I don’t know what he’s all about, he’s definitely not a winger (no pace and dribbling ability), he is selfish and our play regularly breaks down when he’s given the ball. He is always looking to shoot, i would sooner have Eze any time, he is far superior, Arteta is destroying his confidence and game. He has is favourites but if he persists with Trossaud we will never win the big trophies. He just isn’t good enough for Arsenal. Why won’t the club offer him a new contract, i can see him being sold in summer along with Martinelli. We need a L/W for sure. But if he’s trying to up his value we will pay the price and so may Arteta. SELL.!!!!
you definitely don't watch football cz if you did you wouldn't have written such rubbish
resabekpst
2
Personally i don’t understand why Arteta is starting Trossaud so much. I don’t know what he’s all about, he’s definitely not a winger (no pace and dribbling ability), he is selfish and our play regularly breaks down when he’s given the ball. He is always looking to shoot, i would sooner have Eze any time, he is far superior, Arteta is destroying his confidence and game. He has is favourites but if he persists with Trossaud we will never win the big trophies. He just isn’t good enough for Arsenal. Why won’t the club offer him a new contract, i can see him being sold in summer along with Martinelli. We need a L/W for sure. But if he’s trying to up his value we will pay the price and so may Arteta. SELL.!!!!