Ian Wright Admits He’d Be ‘Devastated’ After Arsenal Star’s Missed Moment in Chelsea Clash
Ian Wright felt Viktor Gyokeres, potentially watching from afar, would have been incredibly frustrated and vocal about Arsenal’s squandered opportunity to secure a late victory against Chelsea, which ultimately ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea initially gained the advantage in the match, despite Moises Caicedo’s dismissal in the 38th minute.
Trevoh Chalobah capitalized on a corner kick, heading the ball into the net and giving Enzo Maresca’s team a one-goal lead.
However, Arsenal responded swiftly, leveling the score just 11 minutes later. Mikel Merino connected with a cross from Bukayo Saka, finding the back of the net and bringing the teams back to parity with over half an hour remaining.
Arsenal squandered a few decent chances to grab the victory, with one late opportunity especially annoying to Wright.
Timber failed to convert a header that could have won the game, even though Gyokeres, who was lurking behind him, seemed to be in a superior position to score had Timber allowed the ball to pass.
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Wright commented on Premier League Productions: “I’m just thinking, Gyokeres was in a great spot… personally, I’d be yelling with so much force that anyone obstructing me would be forced to move.”
That’s the traditional wisdom, the common advice: you need to be vocal, make your presence known. That way, Timber shifts his position and Gyokeres can get a clear, unchallenged header on the ball.
“I would be incredibly disappointed if that happened. He needs to communicate, Gyokeres needs to alert Timber, let him know he’s going for the ball, because that was a huge chance wasted.”
Theo Walcott an Ex-Arsenal believes Gyokeres is perhaps “too agreeable” on occasion and should have asserted himself, ensuring Timber cleared the space for him to capitalize on the opportunity.
Walcott explained to Sky Sports that during the final stages of a match, as was the case here, teams often become increasingly eager and will push a significant number of players forward in an attempt to score.
He observed that when a full-back finds themselves in an advanced, attacking position, it raises concerns about defensive solidity.
Walcott suggested that, were he in Gyokeres’s shoes, he would be questioning the occupation of that space and emphasizing his own role and intended positioning on the field. In essence, he’d be staking his claim to that area of the pitch.
Walcott acknowledged Gyokeres’s consistent performance throughout the season, yet felt he would still be disappointed in this specific situation.
He imagined Gyokeres making his presence known and communicating his preferred positioning.
Walcott voiced his irritation with players being out of their designated positions, while also acknowledging the reasons behind Arsenal’s tactical decision to commit so many players forward.
Ultimately, Walcott concluded that Gyokeres might sometimes be too agreeable, suggesting he could benefit from being more assertive on the pitch.
Following the game’s outcome, Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, reflected on a demanding period, stating that the match was highly charged and filled with feeling.
He observed that the significance of the game was evident from the outset, with both sides demonstrating immense effort in every play.
Arteta noted that the initial phase of the match was particularly combative, marked by frequent stoppages and referee involvement, which significantly altered the game’s flow.
He mentioned the accumulation of yellow cards, including Moises Caicedo’s dismissal, highlighting a pivotal moment where Arsenal needed to regain control.
He lamented the failure to capitalize on the halftime break to adjust, citing an immediate sequence of events leading to a goal against them.
Arteta acknowledged the team’s resilience in responding to the setback, praising their effort in scoring a notable goal.
However, he also pointed out deficiencies in maintaining composure and executing plays with the required precision, which hindered their ability to create sustained pressure and opportunities in the opponent’s penalty area.
Despite the disappointment of not securing the victory, Arteta emphasized the positive aspects of the week overall, considering the challenges they hadfaced.
