The Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer thinks Arsenal did pay “too much for” Viktor Gyokeres.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer said that the Swedish international is not scoring enough to warrant his price tag:

“I think Arsenal paid too much for him. I would say the same with Benjamin Sesko at Manchester United. He’s definitely going to have to score more goals.”

“But I do think he brings something to the Arsenal team. One of his positives is that he runs in behind which then will help create space for others to exploit.”

“But there’s no doubt he’s going to have to improve his numbers with the goals because we said it last season, what Arsenal have needed, cried out for, is a goal scorer.”

Gyokeres offers “something different”

While Shearer has not been impressed by the 27-year-old’s goal return, he does believe that the threat he poses in behind is giving the Gunners a different option:

“He’s only got three [goals] up to now, but they are looking really impressive as a team and I think he has added something different to the team.”

“Instead of coming short like Kai Havertz might or Mikel Merino might have, he offers something going the other way which then opens up a little bit of space.”

Of course, if his goal drought extends well beyond seven games, people will begin to question whether he is offering enough in the final third of the pitch.

Arsenal’s excellent form is helping the forward

If Mikel Arteta’s side were not top of the Premier League, and the club were not picking up so many good results, there is no doubt that Gyokeres would be receiving a lot more criticism than he is at the moment.

Over the coming months, he will surely need to start producing better performances to justify his £63.5m transfer fee.

Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here