Viktor Gyokeres scored in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
15:39, 16 Jan 2026Updated 15:41, 16 Jan 2026
Viktor Gyokeres scored his eighth goal of the season in Arsenal’s win over Chelsea(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
Viktor Gyokeres has sent a message to his Arsenal teammate Martin Odegaard after finally finding the back of the net for the Gunners. Gyokeres was on the score sheet in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final this week, giving the Gunners a one-goal advantage going into the second leg next month.
Prior to the win over Chelsea, Gyokeres had been on a dry spell in front of goal, failing to score in any of his previous four Premier League matches, with his last goal coming against Everton on December 20.
With just one goal in his last nine Premier League appearances for Arsenal, Gyokeres has found himself at the centre of debate and criticism from several pundits.
However, after scoring against Chelsea, Gyokeres took to Instagram to share a series of posts celebrating his goal at Stamford Bridge, reports football.london.
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One post showed Gyokeres celebrating alongside Odegaard, with the photo being the only one featuring the Sweden international with any of his Arsenal teammates.
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Arsenal secured Gyokeres’ services from Sporting CP during the summer transfer window in a deal worth £63.7million (€73.5million), and the striker has since scored eight goals across all competitions since his move from Portugal.
Despite the criticism levelled at Gyokeres this season, Arsenal defender Ben White was quick to sing his teammate’s praises after the victory over Chelsea in midweek.
“We always want to play quickly,” White said after Arsenal’s win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
“It’s when we can be in those one-on-one situations which is amazing for us. I knew that Vik was going to be waiting in there, and I literally just fired it across as hard as I could, really.
“It’s amazing [for Gyokeres to score]. You see how much he works during the game, and he doesn’t get the credit that he deserves, and yeah it’s amazing for him to score tonight.”
The second leg against Chelsea will see Arsenal host the Blues at the Emirates Stadium on February 3.
Arsenal’s next match will see them face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend, where Gyokeres will be hoping to continue his goalscoring form in the trip to the City Ground.
Mikel Arteta’s side go into the game at the top of the Premier League table and with a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City and Aston Villa, who are third and only behind City on goal difference.
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