A shadow of doubt hangs over Viktor Gyokeres’ impact at Arsenal. Signed for a substantial fee, the Swedish striker arrived with a reputation forged in Portugal, yet his transition to the Premier League hasn’t been seamless. Despite playing regularly, the goals haven’t flowed as freely, sparking questions about his performance in a title-chasing team.
Gary Lineker, a master goalscorer himself, has pinpointed a crucial flaw in Gyokeres’ game: a lack of proactive movement. He observes that the forward often *reacts* to the ball’s trajectory, rather than anticipating and attacking the space before the cross even leaves the passer’s foot. This hesitation, Lineker argues, is costing him vital opportunities.
The difference, Lineker explains, lies in a striker’s instinct to gamble. Defenders are naturally reactive, focused on the ball’s path. A truly prolific forward, however, anticipates, making a run *before* the cross is delivered, attempting to gain that crucial yard of separation. Gyokeres, at present, isn’t consistently demonstrating this vital trait.
Lineker highlighted Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent form with Leeds United as a perfect illustration of this principle. A recent goal against Sunderland showcased the exact movement Gyokeres needs to adopt – a decisive sprint towards the near post, anticipating the cross and beating his marker to the ball. It was, according to Lineker, a textbook example.
The elite strikers – Haaland, Kane, Lewandowski – all possess this innate ability to anticipate and exploit space. They don’t wait for the opportunity; they *create* it. Lineker believes this is a skill that can be learned, a matter of applying logic and understanding the probabilities of success.
Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence has even sparked talk of a potential England recall. Snapped up on a free transfer, the striker has rediscovered his scoring touch, netting seven goals in his last six games. Former midfielder Danny Murphy suggests that continued form could force his way into the World Cup conversation, offering a different dimension to the England attack.
However, Murphy acknowledges that Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins currently holds the edge in the race to be Harry Kane’s understudy. Watkins’ pace and ability to stretch defenses provide a different threat, and his previous impactful performance at a major tournament – scoring the winning goal in a Euro semi-final – gives him a significant advantage.
While Watkins excels at running in behind, Calvert-Lewin offers a powerful aerial presence. Ultimately, the competition for a place in the squad is fierce, and both strikers will need to maintain their exceptional form to secure a spot on the plane. The contrast in styles presents a compelling debate for the England manager.
Looking at current Premier League statistics, the numbers paint a clear picture. Calvert-Lewin, with eight goals in 16 appearances, is currently outperforming both Gyokeres (five goals in 16) and Watkins (five goals in 18). The data underscores the impact of proactive movement and clinical finishing.
