Do we need to talk about Gabriel Jesus? He played 90 minutes against Bolton and did not score or assist. It may appear harsh, but I believe the Brazilian should have scored a goal or even assisted one on Wednesday night. I realise he’s only started one game, but if he wants to compete for a striker starting spot, he needs to take his opportunities. He needed to shine in the game against Bolton but didn’t.
In the summer, there was encouragement for Arteta to consider him a winger because his problems in front of goal make him an unsuitable No. 9. However, people still view him as a striker.
While his dribbling remains creative, the lack of end product has been a persistent issue since his return from the injury he picked up at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Surely Gabriel Jesus has this season to establish a claim to the number nine spot. He has the opportunity to influence the Gunners’ plans to recruit a talented striker like Benjamin Sesko next summer.
Kai Havertz, who scored from the bench against Bolton on Wednesday night, has demonstrated he can lead the Arsenal assault. However, the German forward requires a trustworthy deputy who can relieve his goal-scoring responsibility.
The Jesus before the 2022 Qatar World Cup would undoubtedly have been the excellent Havertz backup (if not the other way around). It is still early in the season, and the Brazilian must seek to re-discover his mojo in front of the goal. Should he fail to reach that level, Arteta will have no choice but to seek a replacement. The Arsenal squad has reached a critical juncture that is unforgiving; they can swiftly progress and abandon you.
After the Bolton game, where Nwaneri scored twice and Sterling got a goal and assist, perhaps Jesus will see him dropping down the pecking order very quickly…
Daniel O
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We haven’t got a proper back up at all to Haverz. And back up, is the wrong term. It should be we haven’t got a proper no9 to replace Haverz.
@Reggie
Realness…👍🏾
I don’t think that we can really say Jesus is the back up. He has well known injury problems and, more importantly, even when fit he doesn’t score anywhere near as many as you’d expect from a No. 9.
He contributes other things to the team when he plays, but his primary function is putting the ball in the opponent’s net. It’s what being a No. 9 is all about.
Should anything happen to Havertz (and given what’s happened to Arsenal players already this season, we certainly can’t rule that out), I fear we’re going to be hard pressed if Jesus is the “Plan B”. Yes, there’s Sterling of course but I don’t think we should put too much pressure on Nwaneri.
Given Jesus is the second highest paid player at Arsenal, perhaps next summer would be a good time to for the club to review his position.
Eevery player have their spell and the Brazilian is no exception.
Jesús may not be on form, but his rhythm, his sharpness , his movement looks good, he just needs that stroke of luck to start hitting the net and making those assist
All his career, he has failed to score regularly. He has always been inconsistent. The ONLY person who sees him as a striker, is himself. The Brazil manager didn’t, Pep didn’t and I believe Arteta has eventually seen he isn’t.
Gunsmoke,
I’m afraid your way off the mark here.
City let him go for a reason, and Arsenal are now finding out why.
All you get from him is little tricks here and there. But he’s meant to be one of the main strikers at the club, and therefore will be rightly judged on goals scored, or sadly in his case none.