Mikel Arteta insisted that Viktor Gyokeres is not appreciated enough after he helped Arsenal to a Carabao Cup win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Gyokeres' performances since his £64million summer move have come under intense scrutiny, with the striker often struggling to make an impact in front of goal.
Heading into the first leg of this semi-final tie, Gyokeres was without a non-penalty goal since November 1.
The 27-year-old ended that wait when he pounced on a Robert Sanchez error for Arsenal's second goal in a 3-2 win.
He also showed much better link-up play when flicking the ball into Martin Zubimendi's path to register a lovely assist and cap what was his best performance in an Arsenal shirt.
However, Arteta was adamant Gyokeres has still been contributing even without a regular supply of goals, defending him from the criticism he has faced.
"Yes, for a lot of the things that he's done, it's exactly the same," Arteta said.
"I think he had a really good performance. Overall, I think what he brings to the team.
"It's a lot, sometimes I understand that people cannot appreciate it, we certainly do that and on top of that he got rewarded with a goal."
Presence felt 👊
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Zubimendi scored his second goal in five matches, showing brilliant composure to drift past the challenges and fire a left-footed strike beyond Sanchez.
Only Gyokeres had more touches in the Chelsea box than Zubimendi and Arteta hailed the Spaniard as a complete midfielder.
Arteta said: "Well I think when we talk about Zubi, what else can he do? He can do whatever he wants. It's a bit similar to Declan's qualities.
"We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain, because he's so good at occupying different spaces.
"He's carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels, and he has a talent when he gets into the final third and into the box. He's so composed. He sees the picture very clear.
"I think it's phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance as well."
Arsenal had big opportunities to make it 4-1 and kill the tie at Stamford Bridge, but Mikel Merino was denied by a stunning stop from Sanchez and Gabriel headed into the ground and over when free from a corner.
Alejandro Garnacho's second goal then ensured Chelsea go into the second leg in north London only one goal behind, with Arteta left to rue that period of the match.
"With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling at the end after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that we had in that time, that we had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different," Arteta said.
"But in that moment, they had an action, they created a corner, they scored a goal, and it’s game on. So that feeling is not perfect but as well we have to value what the team has done again."
