Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were in awe of what they saw from one Arsenal player during the win over Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Forest seemed to signal change, as fans saw the squad play free-flowing football at long last.
The Emirates had to wait until the 32nd minute to see the first goal go in, but it was worth the wait, as Martin Zubimendi scored a superb volley.
Zubimendi went on to score again in the second half, but it was the goal in between the Spaniard’s double that had Shearer and Lineker off their seats.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker loved what Eberechi Eze did against Nottingham Forest
After a tough international break, Viktor Gyokeres returned to Arsenal and scored his third Premier League goal on his fourth appearance.
The Swede’s simple finish was crafted by Eberechi Eze, who also struggled on international duty, only to return to N5 at his best.
Discussing Arsenal’s win on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker applauded how well Eze executed his cross into Gyokeres.
“It was a fabulous first-time cross from Eze, because that’s not easy,” he said.
Co-host Shearer agreed, saying, “Not at all.”
Lineker applauded Arsenal’s new playmaker for playing to Gyokeres’ strengths, something the Gunners had been struggling to do before the international break.
“Absolutely pinpoint, that’s the sort of thing number nines love. Easy chance, but you’ve got to be in there, and he was.”
Eze and Gyokeres’ partnership was noticed against Forest, with their instant connection translating into a perfectly worked goal.
Change on the left side is a blessing for Gyokeres
Mikel Arteta’s changes to his starting XI certainly benefited Gyokeres, with the left side having so much more to offer the striker.
It took Eze only 45 minutes to provide a greater output than Gabriel Martinelli has since the season began, making the tweak to the front line a crucial one.
Though the England international impressed on the left wing, Riccardo Calafiori’s presence also impacted Gyokeres, with the forward’s goal coming entirely from play down the left channel.
A ball over the top from Calafiori, a first-time cross from Eze and a goal from Gyokeres, a simple movement that most likely wouldn’t have happened had changes not been made.
It was a positive first showing for the left side, one that will need to be recreated against Manchester City in the next Premier League test.
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