Arteta on Zubimendi’s quality and Gyokeres’ importance to Arsenal after win over Chelsea | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Martin Zubimendi and emphasised Viktor Gyokeres’ importance to Arsenal after they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.

Both Zubimendi and Gyokeres were on the scoresheet for Arteta’s men in the 3-2 win as they edged past Chelsea despite a late fight-back from the Blues.

Alejandro Garnacho’s double halved Arsenal’s two-goal lead on two occasions, but Chelsea were not able to get a third goal to level the tie going into the second leg at the Emirates.

After Gyokeres scored his first goal in 25 days, Arteta explained that the Swede does a lot more for Arsenal than just score goals.

“I think he had a really good performance overall,” the Spaniard said. “I think what he brings a lot to the team.

“Sometimes I understand that people cannot appreciate it, we certainly do that, and on top of that he got rewarded with a goal.”

Zubimendi scored Arsenal’s third and Arteta was quick to praise the midfielder that he brought in this summer from Real Sociedad.

“I think when we talk about Zubmindi, what else can he do?” he said. “He can do whatever he wants, his qualities are a bit similar to Declan’s.

“We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain because he’s so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels and he has a talent when he gets into the final set and into the box.

“He’s so composed, he sees the picture very clearly. The picture actually is clear sometimes. I think he is phenomenal, not only the goal, but the performance as well.”

Arsenal go into the second leg of the semi-final with a one-goal advantage and Arteta stressed how difficult a team Chelsea are to beat.

“The win is really good because it’s a really tough place to come,” he said. They are top side and when you watch them live as well, the quality that they have, how they open you up in a second during the game is impressive, that is why I really value my team.”