Alan Shearer shocked by what Gary Lineker has just told him about new Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres

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Alan Shearer has been learning new things about Arsenal’s new striker, Viktor Gyokeres.

Who better to pass comment on Gyokeres than one of the best the Premier League has ever seen in the role?

This time last year, Shearer predicted that a striker would win Arsenal the league, and now, Mikel Arteta’s wish has finally come true. 

Andrea Berta delivered Gyokeres to Arsenal on the back of a 54-goal season at Sporting CP, but somehow, there are still reservations about the 27-year-old. 

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta now wants to completely change Arsenal’s style of play because of Viktor Gyokeres

Alan Shearer shocked by Viktor Gyokeres statistic 

One of the most spoken about concerns when it comes to Gyokeres is the quality of opponent he’s been scoring so many goals against.

Having found joy in the Portuguese top flight after leaving the Championship, some pundits and fans are wary of the jump from those leagues to one as competitive as the Premier League.

This was a talking point on The Rest Is Football podcast, as Gary Lineker branded Gyokeres’ transfer a ‘gamble’ from Arsenal. 

“It is a gamble, though, as it always is with a striker,” Lineker said. 

“I mean, he’s had two really, really good seasons in Portugal, but I saw a stat last season, he scored 37 goals last season. How many do you think he scored against the top half teams?”

“It’s three, Alan,” Lineker informed Shearer. 

The Premier League’s record goalscorer was shocked by the findings, responding, “Is it really?”

“Three against them. So that would, you know, would you have a concern? That might just be one of those things.” Lineker added.

It’s a cause for concern as the Premier League is arguably the world’s best when it comes to density of high-calibre talent, but judgment on Gyokeres can’t be passed until the Swede gets a chance.

Gyokeres can silence doubters at Arsenal very quickly 

When looking at the elite from the Liga Portugal, Benfica and FC Porto, Gyokeres only scored once against them last season in the league, failing to find the net against Benfica. 

It’s a concern, but the 27-year-old hasn’t kicked a ball in the Premier League for Arsenal yet, so such worries are not worth giving time to.

Arsenal’s tough start to the Premier League season gives Gyokeres the chance to immediately silence his doubters, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City to play within the opening five fixtures. 

Man City will already fear Gyokeres, as the striker took home the match ball against Pep Guardiola’s side in last season’s Champions League.

Pressure is already mounting for Arsenal’s new number 14, which is unsurprising given how long Arteta has been waiting for a reliable centre-forward.