Renowned pundit Gary Lineker has issued a cautionary note about Arsenal’s title aspirations, highlighting concerns over forward Viktor Gyokeres’ current form. With Arsenal currently leading the Premier League table, three points clear of Manchester City and four ahead of Liverpool, the pressure is mounting on Gyokeres to start delivering in front of goal.
The Gunners have emerged as frontrunners in the title race, boasting an impressive victory over Fulham that marked their sixth win in eight league encounters this season. Despite this strong start, there remains a notable reliance on set-pieces, with two-thirds of their goals stemming from such situations. Gyokeres, a summer acquisition, has found the net three times in eight appearances but hasn’t scored since mid-September against Nottingham Forest.
Addressing these concerns on “The Rest Is Football” podcast, former England striker Lineker remarked, “He (Gyokeres) is experiencing a dry spell with seven games across competitions without scoring. For Arsenal to achieve their title ambitions, he needs to increase his goal tally. The coming fixtures will be crucial for him.”
Echoing Lineker’s sentiments, Alan Shearer, the ex-Newcastle United ace, acknowledged Gyokeres’ need for improvement in goal-scoring but praised his ability to create opportunities for teammates by stretching defences with his runs.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, has shown support for Gyokeres, appreciating his climb from lower leagues and maintaining belief in his potential development. Arteta stated: “His journey hasn’t been without its challenges, progressing from the Championship and the Portuguese league to Arsenal. This kind of trajectory isn’t unusual, and we fully support him through this period.”
As Arsenal continue their pursuit of the Premier League crown, the spotlight remains firmly on Gyokeres to contribute more consistently on the score sheet.