Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta for standing by Viktor Gyokeres, following Arsenal’s dominant 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Gyokeres scored twice in the North London Derby as Arsenal delivered a powerful attacking display that sent them to the top of the Premier League table with 61 points — four clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

While much of the spotlight has been on Eberechi Eze’s brace and his emotional response after being challenged by his manager, Carragher shifted the focus to Gyökeres’ mentality and Arteta’s unwavering faith in him.

Carragher: “I Love His Mentality”

Carragher admitted he does not see Gyokeres as a long-term world-class solution, but insists his mindset makes him invaluable right now.

“The thing I like about Viktor Gyökeres is his mentality. I don’t think he’s a world-class striker or an amazing striker for Arsenal for the next five years. But I absolutely love his mentality,” Carragher said.

“There’s no lack of confidence with him, he just gets the ball and bangs it in, it’s Alan Shearer-like, that sort of mentality.”

The comparison to Alan Shearer — one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever goal scorers — underlines the aggressive, no-nonsense style Gyökeres showed against Tottenham.

Credit to Arteta for Standing Firm

Carragher also revealed he believed Arsenal might move away from Gyökeres at one stage, suggesting the pressure could have forced a change.

“He could be vital and what I would say is here, is credit the manager. I felt they had to come away from Gyökeres and I thought at some stage it might cost them. But the manager has stuck by him week after week and the strength he showed in the game against Tottenham, it was very Alan Shearer-like.”

Arteta’s loyalty appears to be paying off at a crucial stage of the title race. With Arsenal now leading the Premier League standings, consistency from key attackers like Gyökeres and Eze could prove decisive in the final months of the season.

As the Gunners push for silverware, Carragher’s comments highlight a key theme: mentality. And if Gyökeres continues to deliver in high-pressure games, Arteta’s faith may ultimately define Arsenal’s title charge.