Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres both made their mark in Arsenal's victory over Inter Milan, causing Mikel Arteta to face a difficult problem in attack. But what would happen if their performance was the clearest affirmation of the role assigned in that match?
Arsenal showed clearness and superior efficiency in attack when Gabriel Jesus started in the center forward position. Quick combinations leading to the opening goal are a rare image in Arteta's team this season, including Jesus's delicate assist for Mikel Merino before he finished himself with a killer instinct.
The Brazilian striker continued to show his ability to connect his playing style by frequently moving wide to both wings to coordinate with wingers, creating space for the second line to advance. He was ready to receive the ball when turning his back on the goal, participating in regulating the tempo and even having breakthrough ball possessions before passing to Bukayo Saka.
This performance - just in Jesus's third start of the season - evokes his explosive image after moving from Manchester City in 2022, before consecutive injuries interrupted his form.
Despite having one more goal from a set piece with a header from a corner kick, Jesus's greatest influence still lies in open balls. Arsenal became softer, more creative and more clearly breakthrough-rich thanks to the striker's technique and playing thinking.
The double against Inter Milan could completely help Jesus take the starting spot in the match against Manchester United this weekend.
Meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres brought a completely different image. Being brought on from the bench when Inter rose to find an equalizer, the Swedish striker fully utilized the gap behind the opponent's defense. He rushed down to receive Gabriel Martinelli's pass and finished coldly - a goal imbued with speed and strength.
That was a goal that Jesus could hardly have scored. And conversely, Arsenal's opening goal - with a complex combination in front of the penalty area - was also something Gyokeres found difficult to repeat.
The first half of the season has exposed the limitations in Gyokeres' playing style. The ideal conditions for him to score - wide space and dilated opponent defense - rarely appear in the Premier League, where organization and tightness are always prioritized.
Such times usually only come at the end of the match, when the opponent has weakened and is forced to push up the squad. However, Gyokeres - who started 17 out of 20 matches in the Premier League this season - is often substituted before those gaps appear.
Arteta was forced to make a choice. The injuries of Jesus and Kai Havertz once made Gyokeres the only striker who could be used for most of the season. But now, the Spanish strategist has more options and the need for adjustment is very clear.
Although Arsenal won 13 out of 17 Premier League matches when Gyokeres started, most of that success came from set pieces. They only scored 13 goals from live balls in these matches, compared to 10 goals in the remaining 4 matches - where Arteta used Jesus or Mikel Merino in the number 9 position.
It is no coincidence that Arsenal's most smooth attacking performances this season - against Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Inter Milan - all took place when Gyokeres did not play center forward.
Like Havertz, Jesus brings more to the team's system. From touch touches, better coordination, more effective contesting and most importantly, creating more goals.
Erling Haaland has proven that a striker with few touches is not a problem, but only when that person continuously scores.
Gyokeres has not been able to do that. Since November 1, 2025, he has not scored any goals in the Premier League except for penalties. In 17 starts as a center forward, his chances conversion rate is the lowest among Arsenal's attacking options.
This does not mean Gyokeres is useless. Perhaps he just needs to be used properly - as a fast attacking spearhead on the wing in the final stage of the match - instead of being forced to become a center forward.
With a fee of 64 million pounds, Gyokeres is certainly not brought back as a backup option. But using him effectively is more important than trying to turn him into an inappropriate version.
Everything could have been different if Havertz had not suffered a groin injury that caused him to be sidelined for a long time. Before the injury, the German striker scored 15 goals and had a total of 24 direct goals after 31 starts in the Premier League.
Now that Jesus has returned and Havertz is in the recovery process, Arsenal finally has enough cards in attack.
And if we have to choose between Jesus or Gyokeres for the match against Man United, what happened at San Siro may have shown the clearest answer.
