Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke has heaped praise on Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus was in scintillating form against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
The Brazilian forward was a constant menace to the Seagulls’ defence and popped up all over the pitch. He was also able to get on the scoresheet for the third time in the Premier League this season, as he got on the end of a corner to nod in at the back post.
As per WhoScored statistics, the 26-year-old racked up four shots against the south coast club, played two key passes, and recorded a 100% pass completion rate.
Jesus has been criticised in the past for being wasteful in front of goal. He certainly isn’t the most prolific player in the Premier League or the most clinical finisher. He has recently admitted that goalscoring not one of the strengths of his game.
However, it can’t be denied that at his best Jesus makes this Arsenal side much better. He ties the entire attacking contingent into a more cohesive unit. He is able to hold up the ball with his physicality, drop deep to involve himself in the build-up. play, take on opponents in one-on-one situations, and link up to great effect with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka.
Adrian Clarke lauds Gabriel Jesus
Adrian Clarke was blown away by Jesus’ performance against Brighton. Speaking on The Breakdown Live, he said, “he was more than that [a nuisance] today, he had so much skill in that performance. There was a piece of skill in the second half when it was fizzed into him, he’s under pressure, he touches it and flicks it over the guy, I mean the crowd just went ‘Woah!’”
“I just love watching him, I think he’s so entertaining and I don’t think he gave the ball away today, last time I checked he didn’t lose it once. So, for a centre-forward to go through a game not losing it and also he’s tried things. I just thought it was a near-perfect centre-forward performance.”
“Obviously his goal comes from a corner, 10th I think of the season from a set-piece, it flicks off the head of the Brighton player, he’s peeled round the back, it’s really good positioning and he scores. So, great day for him.”
Mikel Arteta has built Arsenal attack around the Brazilian
The £45 million Manchester City man must now stay fit and produce this kind of form consistently. He missed key matches last season and earlier on this campaign due to fitness issues. However, Mikel Arteta needs Jesus to be available as much as possible. Arsenal will stand a much better chance of winning the Premier League title this season with Jesus starting matches week in, week out.
Arsenal have been linked with a number of other strikers as potential acquisitions. However, Arteta has a lot of faith in Jesus and this team has been built around him as a focal point. The way Martinelli cuts inside and Kai Havertz makes forward runs from deep is all designed to bring additional support to Jesus in dangerous areas. Those systems were firing on all cylinders against Brighton on Sunday.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
