Jamie Redknapp claimed Bukayo Saka was a ‘major problem’ for Arsenal teammate Viktor Gyokeres after the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Chelsea.
The Premier League leaders have one foot in the Carabao Cup final after beating Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Goals from Gyokeres, Ben White and Martin Zubimendi ensured Arsenal continued their impressive momentum and closed in on a long-awaited major final.
Gyokeres was branded ‘really poor’ by Gary Neville after Arsenal’s recent goalless draw with Liverpool but the £64m summer signing was much-improved against Chelsea, according to Redknapp.
Gyokeres’ second-half goal was only his second since November 1, a fairly dismal return for a player who boasted a sensational goalscoring record at his former club Sporting.
Redknapp believes one of the ‘major problems’ for Gyokeres is the fact the naturally left-footed Saka plays on the right for Arsenal and often ‘chops back’ rather than ‘fires balls across goal’.
Gyokeres raised his arms in disappointment when Saka failed to find him in the box shortly before White’s effort was palmed into his path by out-of-sorts Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
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‘This was a good night for Viktor Gyokeres,’ Redknapp said on Sky Sports. ‘An exceptional night.
‘A lot of the time, the crosses he would’ve been getting predominantly would’ve been from a right-footed right wing-back and a left-footed left wing-back.
‘When he plays for Arsenal, the major problem is Bukayo Saka plays on the right and he’s left-footed. So, when Bukayo gets into that position, instead of firing it across the face of goal, he wants to chop back.
‘That’s where the frustration comes from.’
A 3-2 win in west London means Arsenal will have a one-goal advantage for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
But Redknapp still believes the title favourites will be ‘kicking themselves’ as the tie ‘could have been dead and buried’ had they been more ruthless against Chelsea.
‘It was a game Arsenal could’ve been really comfortable in,’ Redknapp added. ‘They made a lot of changes towards the end of the game.
‘I just felt that goal that Chelsea got right at the end has put a nice complexion on things from Liam Rosenior’s point of view, but Arsenal will be kicking themselves.
‘They will put on a brave face. They would’ve taken it before the start of the game. It is still a good result. But this game could’ve been dead and buried.’
Arsenal and Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend with the Gunners travelling to Nottingham Forest and the Blues hosting west London rivals Brentford.
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