Gary Neville Applauds Viktor Gyokeres Following Arsenal's Derby Triumph
Gary Neville expressed high praise for Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners secured a crucial 4-2 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. This win revitalized Arsenal's title campaign, with Gyokeres delivering a commanding display that caught the eye of the former Manchester United defender.
Arsenal's Dominant First Half and Early Lead
Arsenal, the league leaders, controlled the match from the outset, asserting their superiority in the opening 45 minutes. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Eberechi Eze, who nearly joined Tottenham last summer, found the net. Eze, who had previously scored a hat-trick against Spurs at the Emirates Stadium, was poached by Arsenal from Crystal Palace after a hijacked deal.
The Gunners deserved their early advantage, but Tottenham responded swiftly. Less than two minutes later, Randal Kolo Muani capitalized on a rare error from Declan Rice, dispossessing the midfielder and firing past goalkeeper David Raya to equalize. Rice, who had urged his teammates to stay focused after Eze's goal, was forced to apologize for his lapse in concentration.
Gyokeres Shines with Decisive Contributions
Fortunately for Arsenal, Rice's mistake did not prove costly. After halftime, the Gunners reestablished their dominance, with Gyokeres restoring the lead through a powerful strike. This goal marked a turning point, as Arsenal avoided a repeat of recent setbacks against Brentford and Wolves. Eze added his second goal of the afternoon to extend the lead, effectively sealing the victory.
Gyokeres capped off an impressive performance with another goal in injury time, highlighting his growing influence. The £64 million summer signing, who had a slow start to his Arsenal career, now boasts seven goals since the New Year, showcasing his resurgence.
Neville's Analysis and Praise for Gyokeres
Neville was particularly impressed by Gyokeres' impact, describing it as his best display in an Arsenal shirt for some time. He remarked, "He looks really lively and smart, Gyokeres. It's the best I've seen him for a while. It's a great moment for him. He's still got a lot to do, but it's a wonderful finish." Neville added that Gyokeres had been "a real nuisance" and delivered his finest performance in a major game.
However, Neville criticized Rice's error for Tottenham's equalizer, calling it "stupid" and emphasizing the need for Arsenal to eliminate such lapses. He noted, "We've seen a few of those stupid little errors from Arsenal's senior players. It has to stop otherwise they'll be in trouble."
League Implications and Future Outlook
This derby win allowed Arsenal to restore a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with 11 games remaining, strengthening their title aspirations. In contrast, Tottenham remain in 16th place, just four points above the relegation zone, highlighting their ongoing struggles.
Overall, Gyokeres' standout performance and Neville's accolades underscore Arsenal's resilience and growing momentum in the Premier League title race.
