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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer in Agreement on Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal
Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres’ movement in the box has to improve if he wants to succeed in the Premier League, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have both claimed.
It’s been a difficult start to life in England for Gyokeres since arriving from Sporting CP, with the step-up in standard clearly a difficulty for the Swedish international. Gyokeres has struck five times in the Premier League for the Gunners this season, but only three of those haven’t been from the penalty spot.
It often takes players time to adapt to the Premier League, and there’s plenty of pressure on Gyokeres to succeed as he was brought in to solve Arsenal’s striker problem. His most recent performance against Brighton was particularly disappointing, and the former Coventry forward is now suffering plenty of criticism after a slow start at the Emirates Stadium.
Gyokeres’ Movement at Arsenal Must Improve
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker, a former striker himself, has analysed the recent performances of Gyokeres. Lineker has questioned his movement inside the box, suggesting that he waits until the ball is crossed rather than anticipating where it’s going to end up.
“I’ve watched him quite closely the last few weeks, and I think he’s, like most strikers, is one that waits to see where it’s going, the ball. He waits till it’s crossed, 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 they’re about to cross it. So you steal a march on the defender that way, and lots of the time the ball won’t go there. But I don’t see him doing that very often.”
In reply, former Newcastle United striker Shearer was in agreement, almost repeating what Lineker said about his movement.
“But that doesn’t stop you gambling. That doesn’t stop you making that first movement. If you make that first movement and the ball doesn’t come in. So what?”
Often, if a striker isn’t scoring, the blame will get pinned on the other attacking options for struggling to create high-quality chances, but that’s a criticism that can’t be pinned on any of Arsenal’s forwards. The Gunners are performing to a strong level in that department, but Gyokeres isn’t getting any joy, meaning he has to take some of the criticism.
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Gyokeres Needs Time to Develop
Suggesting that a 27-year-old striker needs time to develop might seem a little strange, but it’s incredibly common for players to take time adapting to the Premier League. The physicality of England’s top flight is often difficult for players to deal with, and the difference in standard between the Portuguese league and the Premier League is significant.
In hindsight, maybe Arsenal shouldn’t have spent significantly on a player who is supposed to be in his prime and yet to play in England’s top flight, but his goal record last season did speak for itself. The Swedish striker needs time, and Mikel Arteta will be hoping he clicks before the end of the season.
