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One Viktor Gyokeres act that caught Alan Shearer's eye in Arsenal rout

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Alan Shearer has praised Viktor Gyokeres' confidence after the striker stepped up to convert a penalty during Arsenal's emphatic 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United. The Gunners ruthlessly swept aside the Premier League newcomers with goals from Jurrien Timber (two), Bukayo Saka and their new Swedish frontman.

Gyokeresnetted Arsenal's third through a brilliant solo effort, weaving his way into the box before firing his shot into the bottom left corner. When Max Dowman was brought down in the penalty area during added time, the 27-year-old seized the initiative to convert the spot-kick.

Shearer praised Gyokeres' courage to take responsibility from the penalty spot. He said on the Rest is Football podcast: "Do you know what was even more impressive for me? It was him grabbing a hold of the ball and going for the penalty."

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Gary Lineker agreed with Shearer's assessment, saying: "I loved that too. Strikers! You've got to, what a chance [a penalty]. When you are a striker, that is your best possible opportunity to score."

Shearer continued: "I'm not sure he would've [gone for the penalty] if Saka had been on, then he might not have been on it. But I just thought, 'Yeah, great, go and take the penalty.' You've already got one.

"And you're right, we know what it's like to get off to a decent [start]. I mean, last weekend he would've been thinking, 'Oh God, that wasn't what I wanted, it didn't go the way it should've and what I had planned at Old Trafford.'

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"But then, you're at home and you've scored one really good goal and then the belief and the confidence [to say], 'Give me the penalty.' He would have been on top of the world last night, and I bet he cannot wait for the next game."

Following Arsenal's victory, Gyokeres praised the team's display. He said: "It felt good. It was nice to get 90 minutes, of course, to get the rhythm going and play with the guys even more. I think it was a good game overall.

"I felt good today, scoring two and the team scoring five. I think that showed that we can be a massive threat going forward because we have a lot of great players attacking, but also, of course, it's very important with the defending as well.

"I think we pressed very good today and didn't give them much time on the ball. I think we deserved this win today.

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"I think we started off well, had a couple of chances. We scored two in the first half and I had a good chance in the first half that I should have scored. We just kept going in the second half and it was a great feeling to score early on.

"It was amazing to feel that support from minute one to the end. It gives you that extra energy to keep going and of course, to win 5-0 and keep another clean sheet was great."

Next up for the Gunners and Gyokeres is Sunday's mouthwatering showdown against Liverpool at Anfield.

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