Dickov Backs Gyokeres Over Havertz for Carabao Cup Showdown Against City

Arsenal face a golden opportunity to land the first piece of silverware on what could be an historic quadruple pursuit this season. The Gunners sit atop the Premier League table whilst harbouring ambitions in the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup—a feat that would rank among English football's greatest achievements.

This weekend's showdown against Manchester City at Wembley presents the ideal platform to get the trophy haul underway, with Arteta's men installed as the clear favourites heading into the contest.

However, one former City insider believes the Arsenal boss should make a critical tactical call regarding his attacking personnel. Dickov, who knows the Etihad well from his playing days, has suggested that Viktor Gyokeres represents the more problematic proposition for Pep Guardiola's backline than Kai Havertz.

The distinction between the two forwards is stark. Havertz operates as an intelligent, positionally-aware false nine who threads through congested midfield spaces with precision movement. Gyokeres, by contrast, thrives on directness—his instinct is to burst beyond the defensive line and exploit the channels.

City's traditional vulnerability lies in that high-pressing approach. Teams have occasionally found success running in behind their rearguard, and Gyokeres possesses precisely the attributes to punish such spaces. Havertz, whilst undoubtedly gifted, doesn't typically specialise in that breed of explosive running.

"I think Gyokeres would probably be the tougher to play against, because the one thing he does want to do is run in behind and that can be a real handful," Dickov explained. "City do play a high line, and if there has been a criticism of City, it's been that it's maybe been too easy sometimes for teams to get in behind them."

The conversation around team selection extends beyond the central striker role. Teenage sensation Max Dowman has captured imaginations following his eye-catching cameo against Everton, yet Dickov counsels restraint regarding the 16-year-old's integration into the senior fold.

Dowman possesses the sort of rare talent that England hasn't witnessed in a teenager since Phil Foden emerged at City. His recent appearance was genuinely special, but there's a cautionary tale embedded within the hype machine. Dickov believes Arteta represents the ideal custodian for nurturing such precocious talent, having witnessed Foden's own development at Manchester City.

"The fact that he's getting minutes on the pitch and he's being trusted by Mikel Arteta shows you how good he is," Dickov noted. "But you've just got to be very careful that it doesn't get blown out of proportion too much. I don't think he's got any better person than Mikel to manage that."