Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus was sensational during yesterday’s dramatic victory at Luton Town, and he has now overtaken a Premier League legend in the goalscoring records.
The Brazilian joined from Manchester City last year, and despite struggling with injuries, and occasionally dipping in form in front of goal, the 26-year-old has been an incredible addition to the front line.
He scored Arsenal’s second and assisted Kai Havertz’s equaliser in last night’s incredible comeback victory, and his goal took his overall Premier League tally to 71.
Gabriel Jesus overtakes Eric Cantona in Premier League goals
Jesus reaching 71 goals means that he has now overtaken Eric Cantona’s tally of 70.
Cantona, a five-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, scored 70 and assisted 55 times in 185 games.
Jesus has now reached 71 goals and 40 assists in 195 games for both Arsenal and Manchester City, and has won the competition four times.
Whilst Cantona does have a better goals-per-game ratio, it speaks volumes about Jesus’ quality that he is statistically in the same playing field as one of the Premier League’s best ever players.
Is Gabriel Jesus underrated?
Despite Jesus’ outstanding performances for Arsenal, there have been many calls for the club to sign a more clinical forward in the January transfer window to give the league leaders a shot at the Premier League title.
Jesus himself has admitted that goalscoring is not his strongest suit, but he is arguably one of the best strikers in the world when it comes to the work he does outside of the penalty area.
The Brazil international was a key part in four titles for Man City, and his arrival helped elevate Arsenal from a fifth-placed team to title contenders.
Arsenal’s attack is now flowing, as there were struggles going forward during his absence at the start of this season.
Jesus’ only major flaw is his poor injury record. If Arsenal can keep him fit and firing for most of the campaign, he will continue to score at a moderate rate, whilst also bringing so much more to the team beyond his strikes.
Arsenal’s other attackers Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and even Kai Havertz are all often at their best with Jesus in the side, and it is clear that despite Mikel Arteta having a wealth of options at his disposal upfront, Jesus is one of the most important players in the squad.
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