Sport
Gabriel Jesus can’t stop scoring, and it’s been a long time since that was the case. The Brazilian went 24 Premier League matches without finding the back of the net before bagging a brace in Arsenal’s 5-1 thumping of Crystal Palace on Saturday just days after scoring a hat trick against the same opponents in the Carabao Cup.
Jesus’ resurgence comes at a good time for Arsenal as they face up to the reality of an injury to Bukayo Saka. The Gunners will have to make do without their primary attacking threat after Saka suffered a hamstring strain at Selhurst Park with Mikel Arteta confirming the winger will be absent for “many weeks.”
Of course, Jesus is a different sort of attacker to Saka, although he can play on the right side. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old’s return to form could keep Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge alive with Saka now expected to miss a substantial chunk of the season. The Gunners need Jesus to keep scoring.
“That’s the beauty of football – things change,” said Arteta about Jesus’ goal-scoring performances against Crystal Palace last week. “I think he scored the same amount in four days as in 45 appearances and he could have scored a hat-trick again. Great credit to him because he’s put so much work and belief in to what he does. He was patient and he got rewarded.”
Arsenal are at a critical crossroads in their season. Manchester City might have suffered a dramatic dip in form, but the Gunners haven’t been as well-placed as they might have been to take advantage of it with Liverpool currently sitting four points clear at the top of the table. They have a game in-hand too.
While Arsenal haven’t suffered a league defeat since early November, they have dropped points in games against Chelsea, Fulham and Everton. Draws in the latter two games were especially damaging as the Gunners struggled for attacking firepower. This is where Jesus could have a profound impact.
Versatility is one of Jesus’ best qualities. He can play on either wing or as a centre forward. Against Crystal Palace, Arteta asked the Brazilian to drift into the middle to form a front two with Kai Havertz. Jesus might not be the sharpest finisher in front of goal, but he offers Arsenal cohesion in the final third.
Of course, Arsenal need more than just versatility and cohesion if they are to catch Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and win their first title since the days of Arsene Wenger. They need someone to provide cutting edge in front of goal and Saka was the Gunners’ only reliable source of attacking potency.
The January transfer window could offer Arsenal a route to improvement. The club have been linked with top level centre forwards in the past – see Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen – and could finally make a move for a player that would give them another valuable attacking option. Arsenal could be active in that regard.
Saka’s injury could force Arsenal into the market for a new winger. At present, Arteta only has Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard as wide options with Raheem Sterling also sidelined with a knee injury. The Gunners are being stretched thin at a crucial point of the season. The January transfer window could change this.
Jesus has long been a confusing player. The Brazilian has exceptional technical quality and has demonstrated his ability at the top level for Manchester City as a multiple Premier League title winner. Jesus hasn’t always contributed as Arsenal might have wanted when they signed him two years ago, but he can now prove his worth.
