Alan Shearer has voiced his opinion on new Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, who arrived at the club in the summer.
Much had been said across the 2024/25 season about Arsenal's striking options, or their lack thereof, with many feeling it cost them, once again, in the Premier League title race. Having made him a priority target, the Gunners completed a £64 million deal to sign Gyokeres before the end of July, the Swede having been incredible for Sporting Lisbon.
Gyokeres has been widely talked about since debuting for Arsenal. For his price, an immediate impact was expected. Gyokeres has scored three Premier League goals in eight matches, though two came in one game against newly-promoted Leeds United and it has been over a month since Gyokeres last scored for Mikel Arteta's side.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer, a former striker who remains the all-time top scorer in the Premier League, revealed his feelings about Arsenal's new frontman.
'He Will Get The Goals'
gyokeres newcastle
By failing to find the net against Fulham, a game at Craven Cottage that Arsenal won 1-0, Gyokeres extended his streak without a goal to nine matches, across competitions including both club and country. Despite this, Shearer chose to focus on something positive he saw from the forward against Marco Silva's team.
"He [Gyokeres] brings a different strength. There's no doubt that he will have to improve his goalscoring. As you [MOTD host Gabby Logan] said, he's only got three. But one of his strengths which has suited Arsenal is he actually goes the other way, he goes in behind.
"I think when he does that, that then creates space for others to play because last season, you had maybe (Kai) Havertz or (Mikel) Merino coming short and that's easier for teams to defend against. But when you're running the other way, they get deeper and deeper. That then opens the space for others to play. So I think from that point of view he has improved Arsenal.
"I think he will get the goals. Obviously nowhere near as many as he got last season, but he will get the goals. With the number of chances that Arsenal create, he will and his numbers should improve."
As Shearer stated, there is "no doubt" that Gyokeres will have to improve on his current goal tally. Should he continue to play as he is aside from his lack of potency in front of goal, then Gyokeres, with further time in the Arsenal team, will surely have to see an increase in his numbers.