Jamie Carragher Admits He Was Wrong About Arsenal Signing Viktor Gyökeres After Tottenham Win

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher reverses stance on Viktor Gyökeres as Arteta’s persistence pays off in Arsenal 4–1 North London derby statement victory.

ArsenalTalks News Analysis | February 23, 2026

Arsenal 4–1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur did more than strengthen their grip on the Premier League title race — it also forced a major public rethink from Jamie Carragher, who admitted he had been wrong about Viktor Gyökeres and credited Mikel Arteta for sticking with the Swedish striker.

Gyökeres, signed from Sporting CP for £64 million last summer, endured a difficult adaptation period in north London. He managed just five league goals in the first half of the season, sparking doubts about his long-term suitability for Arteta’s system and prompting suggestions that Arsenal might need to look elsewhere for a leading striker.

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Carragher was among those unconvinced. But Sunday’s derby performance changed that narrative completely.

Since the turn of the year, Gyökeres has found rhythm and confidence, contributing eight goals in all competitions. His brace against Spurs was his most complete performance in an Arsenal shirt — clinical, physical, and decisive in the biggest game of the season.

The goals helped Arsenal move five points clear at the top of the table and underlined Gyökeres’ growing importance in the title race.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Carragher praised the striker’s mentality and issued a public mea culpa.

“The thing I like about Viktor Gyökeres is his mentality,” Carragher said. “I don’t think he’s a world-class striker or an amazing striker for Arsenal for the next five or ten years, but I absolutely love his mentality. There’s no lack of confidence — he just gets the ball and bangs it in. It’s Alan Shearer-like.”

Carragher’s U-turn

Carragher openly admitted his earlier doubts and pointed to Arteta’s loyalty as the key factor behind Gyökeres’ resurgence.

“I felt they had to come away from Gyökeres and I thought at some stage it might cost them,” he said. “But the manager has stuck by him week after week. There were times I was surprised he was still in the team, but fair play to the manager because he’s kept him in and he’s repaid him in one of Arsenal’s biggest games of the season.”

The former Liverpool defender also highlighted Gyökeres’ physical dominance, comparing him to Premier League icon Alan Shearer after his stoppage-time goal.

“The strength he shows to knock off Archie Gray, left arm out, knocking defenders away — it’s very Shearer-like,” Carragher added.

Arteta has remained consistent in his backing of Gyökeres, even during his lean spell earlier in the campaign. After the derby, the Arsenal manager offered a strong endorsement of his striker’s performance.

“He was outstanding today,” Arteta said. “There have been glimmers of it every week, but today I thought he was fantastic.”

That patience now looks justified. Gyökeres’ confidence is growing, his movement is sharper, and his decision-making in front of goal has improved — all signs of a striker settling into a demanding system.

Arsenal’s title weapon emerging

With ten Premier League games remaining, Arsenal sit in pole position in the title race. Meanwhile, the squad looks settled, the system functions well, and Gyökeres emerges as a genuine difference-maker at the business end of the season.

At the same time, Carragher’s U-turn reflects a wider shift in perception. The striker once viewed as a risk now appears as a key piece in Arteta’s title blueprint.

If Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy, Gyökeres’ transformation — and Arteta’s patience — will stand out as one of the season’s defining storylines.

For now, one thing is clear:
Viktor Gyökeres is no longer a question mark — he’s becoming an answer.

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