Alan Shearer was ‘pretty alarmed’ by Viktor Gyokeres’ lack of involvement before he ended his drought with two goals in Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners scored 4 goals in 13 second-half minutes to thrash Atletico 4-0 on the Emirates Stadium and maintain their perfect record within the Champions League.
Little separated the Premier League and La Liga sides during a subdued first half and Gyokeres struggled to get into the sport, touching the ball just nine times.
Arsenal asserted their dominance after the break, taking the lead from a set-piece when Gabriel Magalhaes headed home Declan Rice’s inviting cross.
Gabriel Martinelli doubled Arsenal’s lead just after the hour mark, slotting past Jan Oblak following an outstanding run from Myles Lewis-Skelly.
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Gyokeres then ended his nine-game drought with Arsenal’s third as his scuffed shot deflected off an Atletico defender and squeezed into the underside corner.
Arsenal’s £64m striker had not scored in over 600 minutes but he only had to attend three for his next as he tapped home after Arsenal caused chaos with one other corner.
Speaking at half-time, Premier League record goalscorer Shearer said he wanted ‘more’ from Gyokeres in the ultimate third and highlighted his ‘alarming’ lack of touches.
‘I would really like to see them involve Viktor Gyokeres more,’ Shearer said on Amazon Prime. ‘He’s only had nine touches, none within the box.
‘That’s pretty alarming for any centre forward at any level. They should get him in the sport and find him a bit bit earlier. There’s no problem along with his work-rate , his closing down and his defensive duties.
‘But they haven’t paid that cash for him simply to work hard and do defensive duties. They paid that cash for him to attain goals in order that they have to feed him more.’
After Gyokeres’ fortuitous first goal, Shearer said: ‘He won’t care one bit, all that matters is getting the ball behind the online.
‘He won’t care how that’s gone in! He’s put a shift in and you may hear the response from the fans when he closes down defenders.
‘He deserves that little little bit of luck in front of goal and it can do his confidence the world of excellent.’
Gyokeres, who Arsenal signed from Sporting last summer, received a standing ovation from the Arsenal fans as he was subbed off late on.
Shearer added: ‘He wasn’t a goal threat in the primary half however the fans appreciated his hark work and defensive duties.
‘He’s going to get judged on goals so for him to get two within the second half will do his confidence the world of excellent.’
Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 defeat was the heaviest they’ve suffered within the Champions League and sees them drop into the bottom-half of the table.
Arsenal, meanwhile, climb to 3rd within the 36-team Champions League table, level on points with joint-leaders PSG and Inter Milan.
Mikel Arteta’s side, currently top of the Premier League, return to domestic motion this weekend against London rivals Crystal Palace.
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