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Viktor Gyokeres has been sent a clear message by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer after struggling to find consistent form of Arsenal
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have stated what they want to see from Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker has struggled for goals since joining the Gunners this past summer with his lack of confidence - despite scoring a penalty last weekend - highlighted in the 2-1 win over Brighton.
Gyokeres had a great opportunity just minutes into the clash but sent a tame effort directly into the arms of Bart Verbruggen. The 27-year-old had another two close-range efforts at goal but was unable to find the back of the net before being replaced in the 71st minute.
Gabriel Jesus' impressive cameos and the impending return of Kai Havertz could soon see Gyokeres benched. Having paid close attention to his actions, Lineker and Shearer have offered some advice to the Gunners forward.
Lineker, on the Rest Is Football podcast said: "I have watched him quite closely the last few weeks. Like most strikers, he waits to see where the ball is going and then attacks the space, but that's what defenders do.
"As a striker you've got to gamble on where you think the ball might go and you go just as its about to be crossed. So that way, you steal a march on the defender.
"A lot of the time the ball won't go that way and I don't see him doing it that often. Dominic Calvert-Lewin did a perfect example of how to do that for the Leeds goal at Sunderland. He didn't wait, he pulled away and then sprinted at the near post and hoped the ball would be delivered there.
"I don't see that too often from Gyokeres, at present and the players that score big numbers will do that. The likes of Haaland, Kane and Lewandowski will make those kind of moves into spaces.
"I've always thought you can learn to do that and it's the common sense of probability when you think about it."
Shearer was later brought into the conversation when presented with the idea that Gyokeres may find it difficult as Arsenal's wingers are technically on the wrong side given their preferred foot. However, the Newcastle United legend dismissed that as a major issue.
He said: "I think it's a lot easier when you've got someone that is right-footed, playing on the right. But in this case, I think Saka can go both ways so that makes it more difficult for the defender, but that doesn't stop you gambling or making that first movement.
"If the ball doesn't come in from then, so what, you can't then get disheartened, you have to keep going. If 10 balls come in and you get one of them, fine, you've done your job, it could be the winner.
"It is easier when right is right and left is left, but you cannot stop running because someone is checking back, you still have to make those runs. I did a piece early on [in Gyokeres' tenure] to say Arsenal have to get used to him and he has to get used to them, that hasn't quite happened yet."
Lineker then added: "I take it back to the conversation we had with Haaland and people would say to him 'you did nothing all game you didn't really touch the ball and then at the end you score the wining goal' and he said that gives him the most pleasure.
"People don't see the 30 or 40 runs he makes into space when he doesn't receive the ball, he just keeps going until he gets one."
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