Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has expressed surprise at the muted celebrations from Arsenal's players following their dramatic Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory over their London rivals.
Subdued mood after Stamford Bridge victory
Arsenal secured a 3-2 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, taking a significant step towards the Carabao Cup final. Goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Ben White, and Martin Zubimendi ensured the Premier League leaders emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter, despite twice seeing a two-goal lead reduced.
However, the post-match reaction from the Gunners' camp caught the eye of pundits. Speaking on Sky Sports, Hasselbaink questioned why summer signing Gyokeres, who ended a five-game goal drought, wasn't displaying more joy after the final whistle.
Gyokeres and White focus on performance flaws
When on media duty, the Swedish striker acknowledged the positive result but maintained a focused demeanour. "I think it was a tough game. We defended well," Gyokeres stated. "Unfortunate to have conceded two but offensively we scored three, so happy with that. It's still a second leg but of course it's good to come away with a win and advantage."
Defender Ben White echoed this self-critical tone, specifically highlighting a drop in standards after half-time. "We didn't play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure," White admitted. "That's how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It's a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win."
Hasselbaink urges Arsenal to 'enjoy the moment'
While understanding the desire for perfection, Hasselbaink believed the players should have savoured the important win more. "I would have loved to have seen him a little bit happier," Hasselbaink said of Gyokeres. "Yes, they could have done so much better and that's what they expect. But on the other hand you're at Chelsea, you are at Stamford Bridge, it's not an easy place to come. You have won and you have scored… you need to enjoy this moment."
The result marked a setback for new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior in his first home game since replacing Enzo Maresca. Rosenior remained positive, describing the tie as being at "half-time" and praising his players' commitment despite illness and knocks in the squad.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta struck a more celebratory note than his players, expressing pride in his team's performance at a difficult venue. "I'm very proud of what the team has done," Arteta said. "What we're doing every three days is impressive." The second leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal holding a slender one-goal advantage.
