Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman has defended Arsenal forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, insisting they are sometimes unfairly blamed when Mikel Arteta's side struggle to produce entertaining football.

According to a report by Metro on Thursday, November 5, 2026, McManaman said he felt sorry for both attackers because Arsenal's cautious playing style can make life difficult for their forwards.

The comments followed Arsenal's 2-1 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague on Wednesday night, with Gyokeres delivering an impressive performance.

The Sweden international assisted Noni Madueke's opening goal before doubling Arsenal's advantage with a fine finish shortly before half-time.

Although Gyokeres found it difficult to maintain his influence after the break, McManaman believed the striker deserved credit for his contribution.

"I do feel sorry for Arsenal forwards sometimes because they’re not an entertaining team, they’re not like a Barcelona. They defend very deep, they defend as a whole and it’s a long way to get to the other end of the pitch to score goals," he said.

The former England international also argued that Gyokeres and Havertz sometimes receive criticism that should be directed towards the team's overall attacking approach.

"They’re never going to be this entertaining, lovely, free-flowing side scoring goal after goal after goal, and then Gyokeres and Havertz sometimes get the blame because of that."

McManaman also suggested that Havertz remains Arteta's preferred option when Arsenal face major opponents, despite Gyokeres' impressive display in Prague.

He believes the German international is more trusted by the Arsenal manager, particularly in important fixtures.

"Whenever a big game comes around, Arteta reverts to Havertz doesn’t he?"

Meanwhile, Arteta was pleased with Gyokeres' performance, praising his movement, combination play and connection with his teammates.

"I thought he was really good. It was a game we believed would be really good for him, for the demands the opponent puts in and the spaces he could use."

The Arsenal manager added that the performance was positive for the striker, who has been working to establish himself as a regular starter.

Gyokeres will now hope to build on his Champions League display as Arsenal prepare to face Hull in the Premier League, with Arteta facing another decision over his preferred centre-forward.