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Alan Shearer makes Viktor Gyokeres prediction after Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring during the Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in London, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Viktor Gyokeres scored in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest (AP)

Alan Shearer has backed Viktor Gyokeres to score ‘a shed load of goals’ this season but insists his Arsenal teammates need to provide him with early service.

Gyokeres struggled to make an impact in the first half of Arsenal’s Premier League 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

But the 27-year-old found the net just one minute after the restart as he got on the end of Eberechi Eze’s low cross to score from close range.

Gyokeres has now scored three goals in the Premier League this season but Shearer believes Arsenal’s £64 million summer signing will only benefit if Mikel Arteta’s side speed up their play.

‘I think to get the best out of him he’s going to need early balls into the box,’ Shearer told Premier League Productions.

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‘I highlighted at half time when they have too many touches perhaps, this [Eze’s assist] is a great example of not doing that.

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres scores during the Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in London, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Alan Shearer believed Viktor Gyokeres will only thrive if his Arsenal teammates give him early service (AP)

‘It’s a wonderful ball over the top but the hardest part is for the winger to put that on a plate for Gyokeres, first time ball, early ball, that’s exactly what he demands.

‘If Arsenal continue to do that… they still didn’t get the balance right as I said at half time, but I thought it was a little bit better in the second half when Calafiori whipped one or two early balls in.

‘He’ll get a shed load of goals if they keep on getting balls into the box early.’

When analysing Gyokeres’ performance at half time, Shearer said: ‘There’s no need for him to come short, he’s not going to score that many goals if he keeps doing that.

‘In his defence, you’ve also got to think how many touches Madueke takes. Sometimes as a forward you need an early ball.

‘As I said, the balance is not taking away what the wingers are good at, but then there’s a lack of movement.

‘This is the understanding, knowing when and how the ball can come in. If you know that and you’ve got a great understanding of who you are playing with, you can make your run early knowing that ball is coming in. At the minute they still trying to work that balance out between what’s best for the winger and what’s best for the centre forward.’

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Map shows where Oxford plans UK’s first congestion charge in 20 years

Vehicles queuing up and cyclist on the road in Oxford, where the council is planning a new congestion charge.
Oxford city centre is plagued by congestion, the council said (Picture: SWNS)

Drivers in Oxford face a £5 London-style congestion charge after controversial plans were approved.

The university city will soon start charging drivers at six congestion hotspots in a bid to reduce traffic.

Motorists will have to pay a £5 daily congestion charge to access the city centre, which will operate during peak traffic times.

The council aims to have the scheme up and running by November 10.

Oxford road where congestion charge is planned.
Oxford will have a congestion charge within months (Picture: Joseph Walshe / SWNS)

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It aims to reduce traffic, making bus journeys faster and more reliable, allowing new bus routes, making cycling and walking safer and reducing air pollution, Oxford County Council said.

The congestion zone will only run temporarily until the council can launch its camera-operated traffic filters in 2026.

A map shows the proposed Oxford congestion charge zone.
A map shows the congestion charge locations in Oxford (Picture: Datawrapper)

The council said traffic levels and congestion ‘in and around Oxford are high.’

Residents and businesses were asked to comment on the proposal as part of a consultation, with over 7,000 responses received.

Once the Oxford scheme starts, it will be the first one to launch in 20 years after congestion charges in London and Durham.

Locals opposing the scheme have vowed to launch a legal challenge.

They have set up a group called ‘Open Roads for Oxford,’ which is reportedly engaging with a lawyer.

Independent councillor David Henwood told ITV: ‘It’s been bulldozed through by an authority that just does not want to listen to the voices of Oxford and their concerns and how it’s going to affect their businesses, the way they travel, the way they access entertainment in the evening in Oxford.’

Taxi driver Ansar Hussain at Oxford railway station in Oxford, Oxfordshire on June 16 2025. The city is facing a possible ??5 congestion charge for drivers seeking to access the city centre. Release date ??? June 19, 2025. Locals in Oxford have labelled plans for the UK's first congestion charge in 20 years 'heartbreaking' - while others said it will make the city cleaner and safer. Officials are debating the plan for a ??5 fee for drivers to access the city centre. The charge would be the first to launch in the UK for 20 years following similar schemes in London and Durham.
Taxi driver Ansar Hussain, 52, from Oxford, said previously the congestion charge is ‘a bad idea’ (Picture: SWNS)

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: ‘Oxford needs a more sustainable, reliable and inclusive transport system for everyone. People have told us they want quicker journeys, more reliable bus services, and safer cycling and walking. In order to achieve that we need to reduce the number of cars on our roads. That is what the temporary congestion charge is set to achieve.’

The plan has been controversial from the start, with some locals fearing it could be bad for business.

Local taxi driver Ansar Hussain, 52, said the charge is ‘a bad idea.’

‘They say it is an environmental measure, but eventually all vehicles will be hybrid anyway so I think they are just trying to cash in,’ he said.

Don Roiser (L) and Joe Smith in Oxford, Oxfordshire on June 16 2025. The city is facing a possible ??5 congestion charge for drivers seeking to access the city centre. Release date ??? June 19, 2025. Locals in Oxford have labelled plans for the UK's first congestion charge in 20 years 'heartbreaking' - while others said it will make the city cleaner and safer. Officials are debating the plan for a ??5 fee for drivers to access the city centre. The charge would be the first to launch in the UK for 20 years following similar schemes in London and Durham.
Dan Roisier (left) and his coffee shop customer Joe Smith welcomed the plan to reduce traffic in Oxford city centre (Picture: SWNS)

‘Look at London. If I didn’t have the cab, I wouldn’t go to London because of ULEZ. If a passenger wants to go, it will be so expensive.’

The Oxford Conservatives said: ‘Many people rely on their cars and local Conservatives are calling on the Liberal Democrats to scrap these plans and stop penalising road users and local businesses, who will be hit hard by these changes.’

Oxford congestion charge locations

The congestion charge would only apply to cars once a day.

Community health and care workers, carers, Blue Badge holders and mobile traders can get a permit, allowing them to pass through the zone without paying the charge.

Here are the charging points in operation every day of the week between 7am and 7pm:

  • Hythe Bridge Street 
  • St Cross Road
  • St Clements Street 
  • Thames Street

The following charging points will be operational Monday to Saturday between 7am-9pm and 3pm-6pm.

  • Marston Ferry Road
  • Hollow Way 

Meanwhile, Dan Roisier, 41, from Oxford and the owner of a bike-themed Peloton coffee shop, backed the idea.

He said: ‘I think people who are against it often don’t live in the city. I mean, the Lib Dems got a majority on the council with those measures.

‘I cycle to work. I don’t like a city full of cars. But they should have invested more in public transport before bringing it in.’

People reacted to the announcement on social media, and some were not impressed with the plan.

Simon said: ‘Fleecing cash strapped families who rely on cars.’

Heather said: ‘Ridiculous!’

Will said: ‘Shock! The consultation is just ticking a box. It will happen regardless you mark my words.’

Richard wrote: ‘Just get on with it!’

The London congestion charge zone was launched in 2003 during Ken Livingstone’s mayoralship.

But it was Durham leading the way, with a congestion charge introduced in October 2002 – the first-ever in the UK.

The London congestion charge, which applies in central London, is set to rise from £15 to £18 next year.

This article was first published on June 19.

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