Alan Shearer believes Viktor Gyokeres will start scoring again for Arsenal but insists he’ll get ‘nowhere near’ his record for Sporting.
Gyokeres made a positive start for Arsenal following his £64 million move from Sporting in the summertime transfer window with three goals in his first 4 Premier League games.
Nonetheless, the 27-year-old has not found the web in his last seven appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side across all competitions.
Gyokeres skied a likelihood from close range in Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday and has faced criticism over his technical ability since his move to the Premier League.
But Shearer believes the Sweden international has already made a positive impact at Arsenal, but feels last season’s tally of 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting is not going to be replicated this term.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal on a regular basis
Get up to seek out news in your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Join to our newsletter after which select your team within the link we’ll send you so we are able to get football news tailored to you.
‘He’s not within the league of the three we showed within the previous clip [Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe], removed from that,’ Shearer said on BBC’s Match of the Day.
‘But I believe he brings a special strength, there’s little question that he could have to enhance his goalscoring, as you said, he’s only got three.
‘But one in every of his strengths which has suited Arsenal is he actually goes in behind. When he does that it creates space for others to play because last season you had [Kai] Havertz or [Mikel] Merino coming short and that’s easier for teams to defend against.
‘While you’re running the opposite way they get deeper and deeper and that then opens up space for others to play. I believe from that viewpoint he has improved Arsenal.’
Asked if he’ll get goals, Shearer replied: ‘I believe he’ll get the goals, obviously, nowhere near as many as he got last season.
‘But he’ll get goals with the variety of possibilities that Arsenal create, he’ll, and his numbers should improve.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the most recent news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Eberechi Eze performance after Arsenal beat Fulham
MORE: Marco Silva claims Arsenal star is ‘inconceivable to stop’ after Fulham defeat
MORE: Jean-Philippe Mateta ‘very frustrated and upset’ despite Premier League hat-trick