Gary Lineker has pinpointed a key area where Viktor Gyokeres needs to improve to boost his goal return for Arsenal amid his struggles this season.
Gyokeres scored a staggering 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon in a two-year spell at the Portuguese club, figures which convinced Arsenal to sign him for £64m in the summer.
The Swedish forward has been unable to achieve a similar return in the Premier League, scoring just five times in 15 appearances for the Gunners.
Two of those goals have come from the penalty spot, with four coming against relegation threatened Burnley, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
Former England striker Lineker was asked by Micah Richards on the Rest is Football podcast how Gyokeres could score more goals for Arsenal, with his penalty against Everton last week his only league strike since the start of November.
Lineker highlighted Gyokeres lack of willingness to gamble on crosses and highlighted Dominic Calvert-Lewin as an example for him to learn from.
Calvert-Lewin scored for the sixth successive Premier League match on Sunday, with the Leeds United forward getting across his marker to equalise from a near post cross against Sunderland.
The 28-year-old, who joined Leeds on a free transfer in the summer, has scored all eight of his league goals this season from central positions in the box.
'I've watched him [Gyokeres] 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, waits until it's crossed and then attacks the space.
'That's what defenders do, as a striker you got to gamble on where you think the ball might go and you go just as they're about to cross it.
'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.
'Dominic Calvert Lewin did a perfect example of how to do that for the Leeds goal at Sunderland, perfect.
'He didn't wait and to see where it was going to go. He went right, I pulled away and then he sprinted at the near post and hoped that the ball would be delivered there and it was.
'I don't see that too often from Gyokeres at present, the players that score big numbers will do that.
'You know, [Erling] Haaland, [Harry] Kane, [Robert] Lewandowski, they know how to make those kind of moves into those spaces.
'Is it something you can learn? I've always thought yes, but because it's actually common sense because it's law of probability when you think about it.'
Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer agreed with Lineker's assessment.
He noted that would be easier for Gyokeres if Arsenal lined up with traditional wingers, the forward needs to gamble more and not be disheartened.
Shearer suggested that Gyokeres and his team-mates may still be adapting to playing with each other, something Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta acknowledged when defending the forward earlier this month.
'We brought a player with an incredible goalscoring record who had to adapt to the league, he had no preseason,' Arteta said ahead of Arsenal's match against Everton.
'The first few weeks were difficult because physically he wasn't in his best state and he is a player who needs that like any other player in this league almost to perform at that level. Then he kicked on, he had a really good period and he got injured.
'We need to continue to tweak and understand him a little bit better in certain situations and he needs to do the same. But that's about time and we have full support for him.'
Gyokeres will be aiming to be back among the goals when league leaders Arsenal face Aston Villa in a crunch clash on Tuesday, with Unai Emery's side just three points behind ahead of their trip to the Emirates.
blackBeed
0
They are two different players. Victor Gy plays with the team, he defends and attacks just like every other Arsenal player. if Victor had chances that sesko has had he would score many goals. His finishing is not in doubt. Haaland is in the City team to score goals, not much defence contribution coming from him. Gykores is not like that and that is what a team player should be. Lewis is a wonderful player with good experience in the premier league.
also the squad just came out, you have only 3 injuries everyone else is back.
diyklmory
0
We are in a situation where every player can score goals, no need of calvert to one player, Whatever Rice, Saka, Trossard shot from far, that's what we want, we need to win EPL
blackBeed
0
You are right my chairman
[Crylaugh]
Odek
0
That gyokeres guy is a fraud.
Goykeres is a good striker, he will soon come around, a fraud can never score 97 goals in 102 games, that is almost him scoring in every game, isn't that massive?
Davichi
1
No one needs to tell a goal scorer how to score goals. Goals is the only thing on their mind. A goal scorer can describe in detail pretty much every kick that led to the goal or goals they put away. A goal scorer knows nothing about not scoring goals because they've already scored before the match has kicked off, they've already and still are celebrating with team mates and fans. They've already heard their name being sung in the stands and done the after match interview at the side of the pitch. They've already walk up rmthose steps and collected the winners medal and now their parading the cup and taking pictures with the fans, team mates and family. A goal scorer never is concerned about what he don't know, and a goal scorer don't know how to not score goals!
You're just wasting your time writing nonsense, while those who understand the game have spoken.
Zahcemnors
0
No one needs to tell a goal scorer how to score goals. Goals is the only thing on their mind. A goal scorer can describe in detail pretty much every kick that led to the goal or goals they put away. A goal scorer knows nothing about not scoring goals because they've already scored before the match has kicked off, they've already and still are celebrating with team mates and fans. They've already heard their name being sung in the stands and done the after match interview at the side of the pitch. They've already walk up rmthose steps and collected the winners medal and now their parading the cup and taking pictures with the fans, team mates and family. A goal scorer never is concerned about what he don't know, and a goal scorer don't know how to not score goals!
is that a poem lad
sumdeimnru
1
I wish Arsenal to do the job tonight
Jizablprsy
0
No one needs to tell a goal scorer how to score goals. Goals is the only thing on their mind. A goal scorer can describe in detail pretty much every kick that led to the goal or goals they put away. A goal scorer knows nothing about not scoring goals because they've already scored before the match has kicked off, they've already and still are celebrating with team mates and fans. They've already heard their name being sung in the stands and done the after match interview at the side of the pitch. They've already walk up rmthose steps and collected the winners medal and now their parading the cup and taking pictures with the fans, team mates and family. A goal scorer never is concerned about what he don't know, and a goal scorer don't know how to not score goals!
Lombmoruyz
0
Lineker is stupid why didn’t he compare him to Isak and Sesko they are always obsessed with Arsenal
the reason is simple he has no common sense.
Lombmoruyz
0
"Lack of Common sense" what an insult
Emimaru
0
Sesko hasn't had that much chances, look at his shot ratio in the games he's played and compare them to Victor. Calvert and Victor they're very similar not 100%. Calvert plays in a team that defends a low block and barely ever has possession, Victor plays for a team that has had an average of more than 60% ball possession this season meaning Victor doesn't defend as much or sit in his half as Calvert. they're proper number 9s who attack the box. If you're saying a player contributes more defensively and is a team player in an Arsenal squad, then you should be referring to Gabriel because he's roaming striker who plays more on the ball and contributes a lot defensively. your analysis is off.
You are right my chairman
hosdeilyz
0
That gyokeres guy is a fraud.
you're right, just an average player. a striker that can't hold ball and take him to 7 or 11 that's when you'll understand him better as nobody.
RickSanti
0
idn't think so, about lineker on gyokeres !! 4 me i think arsenal is lucking a creative mid coz if gyokeres is not scoring at arsenal how about at sporting ??how was he able to score all those goals, I think there is a problem on either coach or his team mates
Prem is harder my guy Don't compare Havertz has been scoring for Arsenal....so maybe the problem is Gyokeres himself
pecadeptu
0
That gyokeres guy is a fraud.
😂😂😂
Sikkotuz
1
idn't think so, about lineker on gyokeres !! 4 me i think arsenal is lucking a creative mid coz if gyokeres is not scoring at arsenal how about at sporting ??how was he able to score all those goals, I think there is a problem on either coach or his team mates
keil23
0
That gyokeres guy is a fraud.
you dont watch football nobody passes to him and when they do its a silly pass
ColinsGooner
5
the team needs to adjust or adapt a way that suits Gyokores,and cross the ball early not to always keep hold of the ball and cut inside especially Saka and Trossard,they need to improve on that,I like Martinelli because he always put crosses in the box
Ubong12
4
All he's accentuate is lack of "INSTINCT" , but sorry, that's not his problem, he's not used to crosses and heading the ball, i know it's part of the game but let the wingers learn more about his movement and release the ball quick when he makes those runs.
Shosky
5
Arsenal midfielders and wingers don’t feed him balls, especially saka and Ordegard dis guy will free in self for a through pass or good pass they will never feed him the ball… they will push the ball back or either wings…
neecstuy
5
That gyokeres guy is a fraud.
hisabckmry
6
Arsenal wings are the major problems they want to score their own goals
blackBeed
3
They are two different players. Victor Gy plays with the team, he defends and attacks just like every other Arsenal player. if Victor had chances that sesko has had he would score many goals. His finishing is not in doubt. Haaland is in the City team to score goals, not much defence contribution coming from him. Gykores is not like that and that is what a team player should be. Lewis is a wonderful player with good experience in the premier league.
Sesko hasn't had that much chances, look at his shot ratio in the games he's played and compare them to Victor. Calvert and Victor they're very similar not 100%. Calvert plays in a team that defends a low block and barely ever has possession, Victor plays for a team that has had an average of more than 60% ball possession this season meaning Victor doesn't defend as much or sit in his half as Calvert. they're proper number 9s who attack the box. If you're saying a player contributes more defensively and is a team player in an Arsenal squad, then you should be referring to Gabriel because he's roaming striker who plays more on the ball and contributes a lot defensively. your analysis is off.
resabekpst
1
I disagree for we are dominant in our games but our finishing is poor. We also don’t kill off games due to this issue.
blackBeed
1
he was asked by Micah on his thoughts and he gave his honest opinion as a former footballers and made an example. Arsenal fans are just dumb and have victimhood mentality. I hate this attitude you all have. I made a comment about how the Arsenal Players are overworked and hence the injury list, I also pointed out that all of EPL teams have crazy injuries due to workload and some fools came out guns blazing like this.
Isak got injured scoring a goal, before that he was injured and before that he wasnt fit enough to play. Sesko has been injured as well for United and is barely coming back. Ekitike is more of a ball player than a penalty spot number 9. Calvert- Lewin is closer to how Victor plays. Lineker was asked by Micah about Victor specifically on where he can improve, hence why he responded about Victor and made similar comparisons. are you okay in the head? noone is attacking Arsenal, they've been playing well this season and they've had injuries just like every other team in every position from defense, midfield to striker. calm down and learn to read and not react
IronU
3
They are two different players. Victor Gy plays with the team, he defends and attacks just like every other Arsenal player. if Victor had chances that sesko has had he would score many goals. His finishing is not in doubt. Haaland is in the City team to score goals, not much defence contribution coming from him. Gykores is not like that and that is what a team player should be. Lewis is a wonderful player with good experience in the premier league.
blackBeed
1
Lineker is stupid why didn’t he compare him to Isak and Sesko they are always obsessed with Arsenal
he was asked by Micah on his thoughts and he gave his honest opinion as a former footballers and made an example. Arsenal fans are just dumb and have victimhood mentality. I hate this attitude you all have. I made a comment about how the Arsenal Players are overworked and hence the injury list, I also pointed out that all of EPL teams have crazy injuries due to workload and some fools came out guns blazing like this.
fazdklmotz
0
How is he stupid?? Una lek tok
true , why didn't hé comparé to sesko or Isak. Must it bé Arsenal ??
Maplmoprsz
1
Lineker is stupid why didn’t he compare him to Isak and Sesko they are always obsessed with Arsenal
How is he stupid?? Una lek tok
Evans0323
3
Lineker is stupid why didn’t he compare him to Isak and Sesko they are always obsessed with Arsenal