Jamie Carragher doubles down on brutal Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal verdict - 'In the biggest games'

Jamie Carragher has, again, admitted he doesn't think Viktor Gyokeres will play in Arsenal's biggest games. (Image: (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))

Jamie Carragher has, once again, questioned Viktor Gyokeres' spot in Mikel Arteta's strongest Arsenal starting XI. The Gunners' new centre-forward has started all three Premier League games, so far, with two goals to his name - though both of those did arrive against newly-promoted Leeds United.

In between that 5-0 victory, Gyokeres has been tasked with making an impact at Old Trafford and Anfield, which are arguably two of the most hostile grounds in the country. In the defeat to Liverpool, Gyokeres was particularly starved off service.

Two weeks prior to that, he was taken off 60 minutes into his debut against Manchester United and replaced by Kai Havertz. However, the latter has not played for Arsenal since because of an injury that required surgery.

It is unclear exactly when the Germany international will return, but Arteta does not seem to think it will be any time soon. "We lose another big player for many, many weeks, but it was the right thing to do," he said in August.

"The most important thing is - when he gets back - he is in good condition."

With Havertz unavailable and Bukayo Saka now also currently out injured , the pressure is on Gyokeres to deliver. Pundits have also been giving their views on the Swede with Carragher reiterating why he believes Gyokeres will not be playing every week.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate - brought to you by SkyBet - he said: "There was a lot of talk about Viktor Gyokeres before he came to the Premier League, with people pointing to his incredible goal-scoring record, and others doubting whether he was good enough for the elite.

"He's already got two goals in three games, but he's not the easiest on the eye. I said this before the season but, when Kai Havertz is fit, he'll play in the biggest games, ahead of Gyokeres."

As the Liverpool legend points out, he had already made his thoughts clear on this topic twice.

"My suspicion is Kai Havertz would have started ahead of Gyokeres on Sunday but for injury," he wrote for The Telegraph prior to Liverpool vs Arsenal. "As the season progresses, it is hard to imagine a fully-fit Havertz being relegated to a deputy for the biggest Premier League and Champions League games.

“Gyokeres has the look of a useful alternative - a different profile of striker offering a solution against the less fashionable teams as and when required - not an out-and-out replacement for the German."

Speaking on Sky Sports back on Sunday, August 25 after Arsenal beat Man United, he added: "I can see Gyokeres playing and scoring goals If I'm being honest, I think they go back to Havertz in the biggest games, I think that will be the case.

"He can," Carragher added when fellow pundit Gary Neville jumped in to say Gyokeres cannot be left out. "I think Havertz is too important a player for Arteta to be left out. I don't see that happening at all."