Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown (Picture: Getty)
Martin Keown expressed concerns over the fitness levels of Viktor Gyokeres after his quiet performance in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Wolves.
Gyokeres was starting his Premier League match after returning from an injury that he picked up against Burnley at the start of November.
The Swede had come off the bench in the last three league matches and started in the midweek Champions League victory over Club Brugge.
But the striker struggled at the Emirates on Sunday when given another chance from the start as the Gunners earned a dramatic late win against bottom-of-the-table Wolves.
Gyokeres had just 15 touches of the ball and managed just a solitary shot on goal before being replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the 81st minute for his first league minutes since his serious knee injury earlier this year.
Get your football fix
Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro’s football experts sent straight to your inbox – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Jesus made an immediate impact off the bench, and was involved in Arsenal’s late winner, which saw Yerson Mosquera head into his own net under pressure from the Brazilian.
Jesus’s positive cameo may have Mikel Arteta considering whether to start him over Gyokeres, who Keown believes is still not up to the level of fitness required in the English top flight.
Viktor Gyokeres endured a quiet evening at the Emirates (Picture: Getty)
‘I think it’s Jesus’ movement that ultimately helps,’ Keown told TNT Sports when discussing Arsenal’s winner.
‘The defender gets unlucky and Jesus doesn’t get the touch, but it’s his run and movement which helps and that is definitely food for thought for the manager.
‘He looked good when he came on, and Gyokeres is still not at the fitness level you would expect, and there’s a real tussle for who is going to be that No9 and Jesus has put himself right back in there.’
Late drama at the Emirates!Just minutes after Wolves equalise, Arsenal make it 2-1 in the 94th minute 🔥@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bo9o6vN6rf— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 13, 2025
Speaking after the game, Arteta defended Gyokeres’ performance and said his teammates must work harder to get him the ball quicker in dangerous areas.
‘It’s a collaboration between the two,’ Arteta told TNT Sports.
‘He was in a lot of really good positions, and the ball didn’t get into the area quick enough or sharp enough or just with the precision that is required for a No9 to score the goal.
Gabriel Jesus played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s late winner (Picture: Getty)
‘But his work-rate and intentions were there and we need to keep insisting.’
After three consecutive weeks with midweek fixtures, Arsenal have a full seven days off before their trip to Merseyside to face Everton, and Keown thinks the extra rest comes at the perfect time for the league leaders.
‘I think it’s really important that you get them away for a couple days to mentally and physically relax,’ he said.
‘They’ve been in and out of each other’s pockets for weeks n end, a shopping list full of matches.
The manager will demand and set the standard and that’s right and proper but they’ll go again and I do feel a break now is needed.
‘They’ve just hung on long enough and it’s over to (Manchester) City and (Aston) Villa to see what they are capable of this weekend.’
City face Crystal Palace on Sunday, looking to move back within two points of Arsenal, while Villa face a trip to West Ham.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Comment now
Comments
