Alan Shearer thinks Arsenal need to play quick to bring the best out of Viktor Gyokeres. He said that sometimes their players take a lot of touches, which leads to attacks breaking down.
The Gunners roped Gyokeres from Sporting CP for a reported fee of £64 million, including add-ons, this summer. He has amassed three goals in four matches for them so far. He scored in their 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates in the Premier League on Saturday.
After the match, Alan Shearer said on Premier League Productions:
"If Arsenal continue to do that… they still didn’t get the balance right as I said at half time, but I thought it was a little bit better in the second half when Calafiori whipped one or two early balls in. He’ll get a shed load of goals if they keep on getting balls into the box early."
Eberechi Eze, who joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace this summer got the ball on the left wing seconds into the second half. He put a low cross in for Gyokeres to finish comfortably.
Alan Shearer's advice to Viktor Gyokeres
During the half-time of the Premier League clash, Alan Shearer said that Viktor Gyokeres should not be dropping deep during Arsenal's build-up. He said that the Gunners need to deliver crosses early, mentioning Noni Madueke in particular.
Shearer said:
"There’s no need for him to come short, he’s not going to score that many goals if he keeps doing that. In his defence, you’ve also got to think how many touches Madueke takes. Sometimes as a forward you need an early ball. As I said, the balance is not taking away what the wingers are good at, but then there’s a lack of movement."
"This is the understanding, knowing when and how the ball can come in. If you know that and you’ve got a great understanding of who you are playing with, you can make your run early knowing that ball is coming in. At the minute they still trying to work that balance out between what’s best for the winger and what’s best for the centre forward."
Arsenal have won three and lost one of their four Premier League matches this season. They will face Athletic Club at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, September 16.
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