Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker agree on Viktor Gyokeres verdict as Arsenal star sent clear advice

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have shared their thoughts on what they'd like to see from Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish striker has had a tough time finding the back of the net since his move to the Gunners last summer, with his lack of confidence - despite scoring a penalty last weekend - evident in the 2-1 victory over Brighton.

Gyokeres missed a golden opportunity just minutes into the match, sending a weak shot straight into the arms of Bart Verbruggen. The 27-year-old had another two close-range attempts but failed to score before being substituted in the 71st minute.

With Gabriel Jesus' impressive performances and Kai Havertz's impending return, Gyokeres could soon find himself on the bench. Having closely observed his performance, Lineker and Shearer have some advice for the Gunners forward.

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Speaking on the

, Lineker said: "I have watched him quite closely the last few weeks. Like most strikers, he waits to see where the ball is going and then attacks the space, but that's what defenders do.

"As a striker you've got to gamble on where you think the ball might go and you go just as its about to be crossed. So that way, you steal a march on the defender.

"A lot of the time the ball won't go that way and I don't see him doing it that often. Dominic Calvert-Lewin did a perfect example of how to do that for the Leeds goal at Sunderland. He didn't wait, he pulled away and then sprinted at the near post and hoped the ball would be delivered there.

"I don't see that too often from Gyokeres, at present and the players that score big numbers will do that. The likes of Haaland, Kane and Lewandowski will make those kind of moves into spaces.

"I've always thought you can learn to do that and it's the common sense of probability when you think about it."

When the topic of Gyokeres potentially struggling with Arsenal's wingers, who are technically on the wrong side given their preferred foot, was brought up, Newcastle United legend Shearer dismissed it as a significant problem.

He said: "I think it's a lot easier when you've got someone that is right-footed, playing on the right. But in this case, I think Saka can go both ways so that makes it more difficult for the defender, but that doesn't stop you gambling or making that first movement.

"If the ball doesn't come in from then, so what, you can't then get disheartened, you have to keep going. If 10 balls come in and you get one of them, fine, you've done your job, it could be the winner.

"It is easier when right is right and left is left, but you cannot stop running because someone is checking back, you still have to make those runs. I did a piece early on [in Gyokeres' tenure] to say Arsenal have to get used to him and he has to get used to them, that hasn't quite happened yet."

Lineker went on: "I take it back to the conversation we had with Haaland and people would say to him 'you did nothing all game you didn't really touch the ball and then at the end you score the wining goal' and he said that gives him the most pleasure.

"People don't see the 30 or 40 runs he makes into space when he doesn't receive the ball, he just keeps going until he gets one."