Wright felt Arsenal had the chance to snatch all three points late on (Picture: Getty Images)
Ian Wright is convinced Viktor Gyokeres should have taken charge of the situation late on against Chelsea after Arsenal missed a ‘massive opportunity’ to win the game at Stamford Bridge.
The London rivals settled for a 1-1 draw on Sunday evening with Mikel Merino equalising for the Gunners just before the hour mark after Trevoh Chalobah’s opener.
Arsenal had a chance to win the game deep in injury time with Piero Hincapie clipping a cross in from the left with Gyokeres racing into the six yard area to get on the end of it.
Jurrien Timber got there ahead of him, however, heading the ball wide.
Timber opened the scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Bayern Munich midweek and may have felt was well placed to repeat the trick in west London.
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But Arsenal legend Wright believes Gyokeres should have made it clear under no uncertain terms that it was his ball and ordered the Dutchman out of the way.
Wright expressed his surprise the Sweden international was not more commanding, admitting he would have been ‘devastated’ had he been denied chance in similar circumstances.
Metro at the Match: Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
@metrosportuk
A London derby to forget for both teams 😬 Chelsea draw 1-1 with Arsenal with 10 men after Moisés Caicedo’s red card at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League following Trevoh Chalobah and Mikel Merino’s headers for either team. Man City gain two points on the Gunners at the top of the table, and Arsenal fans may be getting flashbacks. #chelsea #arsenal #premierleague #caicedo #redcard
♬ original sound – Metro Sport
From Stamford Bridge, Metro’s Ben Fleming breaks down the winners and losers from Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Caicedo sees Red
The big midfield match-up between Rice and Caicedo fizzled out before half-time when the latter was sent off for a poor challenge on Merino. The Ecuadorian was solid up until that point, but his red card stunted what had been an impressive first half from the hosts.
Estevao shows his age
Estevao lit up Stamford Bridge in midweek against Barcelona but spurned one golden opportunity and was otherwise kept quiet by Calafiori before making way at the break. Perhaps a sign from Chelsea fans to not expect the world from this mercurial teenager just yet.
James delivers a captain’s performance
A true captain’s display from James in front of his home fans. Ran the show in midfield, even before Caicedo’s departure, and continued in that vein after the break, providing the assist for Chalobah’s goal with a superb set-piece delivery.
Reece James was a monster in the middle of the park (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea match ratings: Sanchez 7, Gusto 7, Fofana 5, Chalobah 7, Cucurella 7, James 9, Caicedo 3, Estevao 5, Enzo 6, Neto 7, Joao Pedro 6. Subs: Garnacho 6, Delap 6.
Merino the makeshift no more
Mikel Merino levelled for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Viktor Gyokeres was a welcome return to the Arsenal bench, but might he have to wait for his opportunity? Mikel Merino continues to exceed expectations leading the line, and showed true striker’s instinct to ghost behind Fofana and head Arsenal level.
Hincapie up for the fight
Starting his second successive league game, it’s clear to see what Arsenal saw in Hincapie. The left-footed centre-back is rough around the edges, but a bundle of aggression in both boxes, and virtually licked his lips with enjoyment after dispossessing Neto inside his own box.
Arsenal match ratings: Raya 6, Timber 7, Mosquera 6, Hincapie 7, Calafiori 7, Rice 7, Zubimendi 6, Eze 6, Saka 7, Martinelli 6, Merino 8. Subs: Lewis-Skelly 7, Madueke 6, Odegaard 6, Gyokeres 6.
‘Im thinking Gyokeres… if this is me, I’m going be screaming so loud anyone in front of me is gonna drop out [of the way],’ Wright told Premier League Productions.
‘That is what I have always been told, you have to shout and let them know you’re coming because then Timber moves his head out of the way and Gyokeres comes in and gets a clean header.
Timber took the ball right off the head of the Swede (Picture: Getty)
‘I’d be devastated with that, he’s got to let him know, Viktor Gyokeres has to let Jurrien Timber know “I’m coming” because that is a massive opportunity missed.’
Another former Arsenal forward in Theo Walcott shared those sentiments, suggesting Gyokeres is sometimes guilty of being ‘too nice’.
‘This is when you get desperate towards the end of games and you want to commit loads of bodies forward,’ a frustrated Walcott told Sky Sports.
‘You always feel though if a right-back is in this position, I’d be asking questions if I was Gyokeres here and saying look this is my space this is why I’m on the pitch.
‘But look, he’s been doing it all season but he’d be disappointed. Gyokeres would have been calling it no doubt but it just annoys me when players are out of position but I understand why Arsenal committed so many bodies.
‘Gyokeres is too nice sometimes I think.’
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