REVEALED: WHAT WAYNE ROONEY REALLY THINKS ABOUT VIKTOR GYOKERES’S "LOW" GOAL SCORING AT ARSENAL
Wayne Rooney defends Viktor Gyokeres' goal drought, claiming his work rate is the key to Arsenal winning the title.
Rooney chimed in on what Viktor Gyokeres brings to Arsenal after the Swedish player scored his seventh goal this season with a game-winning penalty against Everton.
When Gyokeres' value to the team came up, Rooney said, “I don’t agree with that take. A forward should take the penalty when it’s 0-0. If the game's already decided, sure, give it to someone else. But not at 0-0. That's on your designated penalty taker. If he misses, then there's a problem.
Your penalty taker has that role for a reason. He should take the penalty. I get giving penalties to guys who need a goal, but that's when you're already winning big. At 0-0? I know he's the main striker and you want to boost his confidence, but your penalty taker should take it—especially in a tough away game when you're trying to win the league. Luckily for Arsenal, he scored.
He does more than people give him credit for. Okay, he hasn’t scored as many goals as he did in Portugal, but he still brings something to the team. Last night, for example, he kept both center backs busy—Tarkowski and Michael Keane. Keane was great again; he's been playing really well for Everton. But Gyokeres kept them occupied, which opened up space for the number 10 or the wingers cutting inside. It keeps the center backs on their toes.
That creates space for other players, so I think he's important to Arsenal. He's helping the team even if he hasn't scored as many goals as people expect.
He'll be a vital part if Arsenal wins the title. Last season, we saw the ball going wide a lot. Declan Rice had to be the presence in the box, doing more work than he should have because Arsenal lacked a proper number nine. That’s what I mean about Gyokeres opening up space for others.
It's not always obvious, but he occupies the center backs. So, I think he's doing his job for Arsenal. Can he improve? Sure. Should he score more goals playing on that team? Of course. But if Arsenal wins the league, he'll have played a big role, for sure.”
THE HIDDEN TACTICAL REASON GABRIEL MARTINELLI WAS REPLACED BY LEANDRO TROSSARD
Mikel Arteta confirms Gabriel Martinelli "could not carry on" as Arsenal reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals
Mikel Arteta said Gabriel Martinelli couldn't keep playing during their Carabao Cup game, which is a worry for Arsenal.
Martinelli got taken out, and Leandro Trossard came in around the 60-minute mark on Tuesday. Arsenal won thanks to a penalty shoot-out. Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Maxence Lacroix's penalty, which means Arsenal is going to play Chelsea in the semi-finals.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi scored late, so the game went to penalties. Before that, it looked like Lacroix's own goal would win it for Arsenal. Arteta said he had to sub Martinelli off because he couldn't carry on.
Even with the injury concern, the Spanish coach was happy his team was getting closer to Wembley.
"Really happy to be in the semi-final," he said. We played a team that doesn't give you many chances. We made a bunch and should've scored more.
He added, "When you don't finish the game, a late goal can happen." The guys were really calm during penalties. They got more aggressive in the second half, but overall, it's another win, and I'm happy.
Kepa, who's been David Raya's backup this season, enjoyed having a chance to shine. The Spanish player wants to finally win the title, since he's been a runner-up twice with Chelsea.
I think we played great, but then things changed, he told Sky Sports after the game. We need to get better at not giving up goals at the last minute.
Before his save from Lacroix, both teams made all seven of their penalties. You have to stay calm and focused and not lose it.
William Saliba scored the winning penalty. He's 24 and was only playing his third game since coming back from an injury. He was relieved they made it through the tough match.
It was a hard game against a great team. "We played well, other than my mistake," the French player said.
We're really happy to be in the semi-final. We need to remember last season (when Arsenal lost to Newcastle in the semi). Kepa saved us in the end. We want to win both games and get to the final.
THE SECRET BEHIND KEPA ARRIZABALAGA'S PENALTY HEROICS DURING ARSENALS INTENSE SHOOTOUT AT EMIRATES
Kepa Arrizabalaga becomes the hero as Arsenal overcome a Lacroix own goal to win an epic shootout.
Arsenal dominated the first half, but Crystal Palace's backup goalie, Walter Benítez, was on fire, making some great saves to keep his team in it.
After Chris Richards left with a bad ankle gash, Maxence Lacroix's own goal seemed to set up a semi-final against Chelsea. But Marc Guéhi had other plans, scoring in the last few minutes of stoppage time to force a penalty shootout—a repeat of last year’s quarter-final. The first 15 penalties all went in, then Lacroix missed his, and Kepa Arrizabalaga saved it, sending Arsenal through in a dramatic finish.
Of the two teams, Arsenal benefited more from Palace's request to move the game because of their European matches. Mikel Arteta made eight changes from the team that won at Everton on Saturday. Only three players stayed in the lineup, all in defence, where Riccardo Calafiori had to play centre-back because Pierro Hincapié got hurt.
Glasner said before the game that he had to pick pretty much the same team that got beaten badly by Leeds. Goalie Dean Henderson didn't play. Benítez played great during Arsenal's first-half attack, but teenager Jaydee Canvot, playing out of position at right wingback, had a tough time against Gabriel Martinelli
To show how packed Palace's schedule is, this was captain Guéhi’s 31st start of the season for club and country. On the other hand, Jesus waited almost a year for his first start after hurting his ACL against Manchester United back in January.
The injury was especially bad timing since the Brazil striker was playing really well, starting with his hat trick against Palace in this competition. So it felt right that he'd make his 100th appearance for Arsenal against the same team.
People aren't totally sold on Arsenal’s £64m signing, Viktor Gyökeres, yet, so Jesus probably saw this as a chance to impress. He showed his skill early on, teaming up with Martinelli to set up Noni Madueke, but Madueke's shot was weak and went straight at Benítez. Tyrick Mitchell shot over the bar after a great pass from Jean-Philippe Mateta, but that was as close as Palace got in the first half as Arsenal turned up the heat.
Martinelli missed the target after a corner wasn't cleared, and then Madueke forced Benítez to make another save. Martinelli got past Canvot again and crossed the ball to Jesus, but the Palace keeper saved it. Richards made a last-ditch clearance to stop another chance as Arsenal kept attacking with long throws and set pieces.
Palace let in four goals against Leeds but somehow held on until halftime, thanks to some good defending and Arsenal's missed chances. Benítez pushed away Madueke’s close-range shot, and then Jurriën Timber headed another Martinelli cross over the bar right before the break.
It wasn't a shock when Canvot was taken off for the much more experienced Nathaniel Clyne. Plus, Eddie Nketiah came off too against his old club. Palace looked better right away and started the second half with more confidence. Adam Wharton almost scored his first goal for the club with a shot from outside the box.
Arsenal, who took 13 shots in the first half, got frustrated as they couldn't create chances anymore. Like last year, Arteta brought on Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, but Jesus headed Ødegaard's cross just wide two minutes after he came on.
There was a long break when Richards was carried off with a bad cut to his ankle after challenging Jesus. This is a concern for Palace because their schedule is very busy.
Arsenal needed Saliba to slide in and take the ball away from Mateta. The following corner was blocked on the line, and it seemed like a turning point when Benítez saved another shot from Jesus. But then the ball deflected off Lacroix's foot and into the goal.
Palace looked down, but they fought back when Guéhi scored after Jefferson Lerma headed on Wharton’s free kick. Rice could have won it later, but Benítez denied him. The penalty shootout was full of more drama, but the Argentina keeper couldn't do it again.