Liverpool Legend Urges Arteta to Drop £64m Summer Signing After Arsenal’s 4-1 Thrashing of Villa.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has sparked debate by declaring Gabriel Jesus a “better player” than Arsenal’s £64m summer striker Viktor Gyokeres, urging Mikel Arteta to bench the Swede.

The comments came after Arsenal’s emphatic 4-1 victory over title rivals Aston Villa at the Emirates on December 30, 2025, a result that sends the Gunners five points clear atop the Premier League heading into 2026.

Gyokeres started but failed to score or impress, before being substituted in the 77th minute. Jesus came on and netted Arsenal’s fourth almost immediately – a curling beauty that sealed the rout and ended Villa’s 11-game winning streak.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher didn’t hold back: “I’m a huge fan of Jesus… The one negative out of tonight for Arsenal is that Gyokeres should not be starting. In a couple of games time, when Jesus is a bit more up to speed, he should be starting. He’s a better player than Gyokeres – that’s a fact.

“Havertz or him as the central striker is a better player than Gyokeres. He lacks finesse and quality… I think Arsenal need to improve on Gyokeres and they’ve got players that can in Jesus.”

Gyokeres, signed from Sporting CP in July 2025 for big money amid huge expectations, has struggled for consistency in England – often criticized for lacking the “finesse” in tight spaces despite his physicality.

Jesus, returning from long-term injury, brings link-up play and movement that fits Arteta’s system perfectly. With Kai Havertz also back, Arsenal’s attacking options are deepening at the perfect time.

A bold take from Carra – but Jesus’ impact off the bench certainly backs it up.