Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher are wrong to mock Viktor Gyokeres after brutal 'jeans' jibe

Viktor Gyokeres has scored twice for Arsenal in his opening three games (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

As is the culture, the football analysis we grew to love has just devolved into rage-baiting clips and quotes designed to get the average supporter annoyed. Arsenal are often a focus , with, admittedly, a supporter base that will indeed react to these dangling pieces of content.

The perfect example is right this very moment, as you read back this reaction to yet another chance to mock the Gunners’ new striker, Viktor Gyokeres . The Swede has already come in for immature criticism about his hair, which he duly responded to by scoring twice against Leeds United before celebrating with a casual flick of his locks.

However, in one of the ‘fan debates’ on The Overlap , a rival fan commented: "He looks like he's playing with jeans on!" The eye-roll-inducing comment sparked raucous chortling among Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher, who presented the show.

Both Scholes and Carragher have suggested for quite some time, among many, that the Gunners have needed to invest in a centre-forward in order for the side to compete. Following the January transfer window, Scholes said on the very same show that if Martin Odegaard had a real finisher in front of him, it would make the skipper a better player.

“You’re thinking [Alexander] Isak or [Jhon] Duran, the lad from Villa, if he had that in front of him, it makes him become a better player as well because he’s more involved with goals.”

Speaking in November of 2023 after the Gunners’ first league defeat of the 2023/24 season, Carragher questioned whether Mikel Arteta’s side had the goalkeeper or the striker to win the league. His comments that follow on David Raya, who would go on to win back-to-back Golden Gloves, are now slightly awkward reading.

"Have Arsenal got a centre-forward and a goalkeeper who can win you the league? I don't think they have. When you think of vital positions where teams win leagues, it's in both boxes," the Liverpool legend said.

"It wasn't a mistake as such to replace Aaron Ramsdale, as Ramsdale wasn't going to win you the league. But the guy he's chosen right now to come in is absolutely all over the place.

"I think bringing in Declan Rice has improved them, but they've not moved the dial with the goalkeeper. They don't seem as fluid, and it's not just about the players they've brought in.”

Arsenal have now added Europe’s top scorer from the past two seasons, returning to England after two years away but having yet to play in the Premier League. Three games in and already those who are on record talking about the lack of a striker are jumping on a man who has yet to really lace his boots for the team.

Arteta, speaking in the Amazon All or Nothing documentary, mentioned the media wanting to quickly bring players down. The two Sky pundits' comments make it evident that he is again being proven right.

Now, it will be up to Gyokeres how he responds because the scrutiny is not going to stop, even if he starts scoring. If he thrives on criticism, perhaps shown by his celebration against Leeds, then he is sure to let the football do the talking.