Gary Neville didn’t hold back when giving his take on Viktor Gyokeres’ lack of contribution as Arsenal were held by Liverpool with the striking firing another blank
Gary Neville offered a scathing assessment of Viktor Gyokeres after another goalless outing for the Arsenal frontman, who “offered nothing” in the stalemate with Liverpool at the Emirates.
The Gunners missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points with Manchester City still in touching distance six points back. Liverpool dug in and were good value for their point on a rain-soaked night in north London.
Arsenal were unable to breach their backline despite having the bulk of their most creative and talented players on the pitch. But it was another outing that has seen Gyokeres come in for criticism as the Swede, yet again, fired a blank in the final third before he was hauled off on the hour mark.
Whilst on commentary Neville said: “He’s been ineffective and that’s being kind. He’s offered nothing.”
Gyokeres would make way for Gabriel Jesus in the second-half as the ex-Sporting Lisbon man failed to add to his tally of five goals this term. His big money move led to huge expectation, especially after his prolific stint in Portugal, but he has struggled to bring that form back to England.
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Reflecting on the Swede’s performance after game on his podcast the Sky Sports pundit said: “Gyokeres, I thought he was really poor, just come on. Be more, be more of a battering ram.”
He then gave a broader assessment: “We’ve become used to forwards not getting involved in the game as much, but what they have to be is in the right position in the box. They have to be making those runs across the goalkeeper, across the near post, sliding into the six yard box. He didn’t do that, which is what I’m disappointed in.
“Yes, if you’re not doing that you’ve got to do the ugly bit – the pressing, holding the ball up. But I don’t think he contribute anything to the game tonight for Arsenal did Gyokeres.”
The former Coventry City man is still looking to hit top form since signing in the summer. The lack of a centre forward was cited as a problem area for Arsenal, which they addressed in the summer by signing Gyokeres, but he hasn’t come up with the goals expected.
Nevertheless the Gunners remain top of the pile and are firmly in the hunt to win the Champions League. That owing to huge squad depth with a number of players contributing across the season.
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