‘Common sense’ – Gary Lineker tells Viktor Gyokeres to copy fellow Premier League striker to find his form

Viktor Gyokeres must start taking more risks in the penalty box in his bid to kickstart his Arsenal career.

That’s the view of former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, who believes the Sweden international should copy another Premier League forward.

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But Lineker has stressed he shouldn’t be taking notes from Erling Haaland or Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak.

Instead, Lineker wants Gyokeres to study one of the most in-form forwards in the country… Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The former England international was a free transfer for Leeds United in the summer after leaving Everton.

He reportedly turned down several other opportunities to make the move to Elland Road.

And after a slow start, he has found the back of the net seven times goals in his last six games.

Having scored just once in his opening ten top-flight matches this term, a change in formation from Leeds boss Daniel Farke has led to Calvert-Lewin enjoying the most prolific run of his career.

His latest strike in Sunday’s 1-1 draw away at Sunderland saw the 28-year-old equalise by showing fantastic movement to run in front of his man, before firing home from close range.

And that is what Lineker is wanting to see more of from Gyokeres, who has scored just three open play goals in the Premier League this campaign.

Taking the Vik

Speaking on the Rest Is Football, he 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.

AFP

AFP

“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 [Erling] Haaland, [Harry] Kane and [Robert] 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.”

Despite his struggles in front of goal this season, Gyokeres has still banged in seven goals in all competitions.

He is the club’s joint leading scorer this season along with Bukayo Saka.

And Gyokeres will be hoping to add to his tally when the Gunners host fellow title rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday night.