Gary Lineker verdict speaks volumes as Dowman sends Arsenal reminder | Football | Sport
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table as the international break arrives. The Gunners bested West Ham 2-0 in their most recent outing. Emirates Stadium supporters were delighted to witness the influential Bukayo Saka return to the scoresheet when he slotted home from twelve yards against the Hammers on Saturday.
Saka had been sidelined through injury after sustaining a hamstring problem early in the season, but his team now commands the summit with 16 points, sitting one clear of Liverpool. Arteta’s charges strolled to a comfortable 2-0 victory courtesy of Saka’s spot-kick, which followed Declan Rice’s breakthrough strike, whilst promising English prospect Max Dowman has caught the manager’s attention with his under-21s display, reports the Mirror. Gary Lineker has also weighed in on Viktor Gyokeres’ start in north London as we deliver the latest Arsenal developments.
Gary Lineker hails Viktor Gyokeres
Swedish forward Gyokeres has netted three times for the Gunners following his £64million arrival from Sporting CP this summer. Nevertheless, numerous critics have questioned the 27-year-old’s performances. England legend Lineker reckons that Gyokeres offers Arteta’s squad a fresh dimension, however.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “I think that even though he’s not banged loads of goals in yet, but he’s got his fair share, Gyokeres, I think he gives them something different. He gives them a threat behind, which creates more space for the midfield and even the wide players, and he’s aggressive with his running and he likes to spin and he attacks the space in the box.
“The goals will come for him because with the service that I think he’ll inevitably get, particularly now Saka is back in the mix and looks like his old self after his injury. So I think it’s quite promising for Arsenal, I think we might be in this season for a really good title race.”
Dowman delivers message to Arteta in under-21 display
Max Dowman made his breakthrough for Arsenal against Leeds United earlier this campaign and appears destined to become the latest emerging star from north London. The youngster was absent from the squad that took on West Ham on Saturday, instead featuring for Arsenal‘s under-21 team in their corresponding fixture against the Hammers.
The clash finished 2-2. The 15-year-old found the net once more and potentially demonstrated to Arteta that he’s ready for senior responsibilities with a superb solo effort. Dowman collected possession in the opposition half and skilfully transferred the ball from his left foot to his right before slotting home a strike from outside the penalty area.
Following the conclusion of the international break, Arteta might reconsider excluding the teenage prodigy from his first-team squad when they visit Fulham at Craven Cottage.
