Viktor Gyokeres makes promise to Arsenal fans as Chelsea celebration says it all | Football | Sport
Viktor Gyokeres ended his barren spell to give Arsenal a vital Carabao Cup advantage against Chelsea – and vowed there would be plenty more to come. The Gunners striker scored only his second goal in 11 games, and his first from open play since November 1, while allowing Martin Zubimendi to score. The Swedish international’s hushed celebration spoke volumes, looking somewhat sheepish before being cheered on by supportive teammates who were clearly delighted for him.
The result puts Arsenal in the driving seat ahead of next month’s semi-final second leg at the Emirates, although Alejandro Garnacho’s brace gave new Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior something to build on. Gyokeres commented: “This is what I have to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we continue. It’s still a second leg but of course it’s good to come away with a victory and an advantage for the second leg, but we still have to put in a good performance in the second leg.
“I think it was a difficult game. We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they had counter-attacks, but I think we defended well. It’s a shame to concede two but offensively we scored three, we are very happy with that.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, securing his first victory in nine home-and-away semi-finals, admitted his side could have finished the game more convincingly. Arteta commented: “I have to congratulate the players for their performance, for the match we just played against a very good opponent.
“With so much quality on that pitch, we felt at the end, after making it 3-1 and during the very dominant period we had at that point, that we had two huge chances to score the fourth and the result would have been very different.
“But at that moment they had an action, they created a corner, they scored a goal and off they went. So this feeling is not perfect, but we also have to value what the team did again.”
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior defended goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who bears significant responsibility for two of the goals conceded, insisting the tie remains alive. Rosenior said: “When my players make mistakes, I am responsible. He made a save in the second half that was absolutely world class. It would have knocked us out of the draw.”
He added: “We are facing probably the best pressing team in Europe, their entire team. I am proud of the courage of the players. I have been here for six days, I am not asking for time because I think the team is good enough to win now.”