Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has now made a commitment to becoming a more prolific goalscorer.
Gabriel Jesus picked up just his fourth Premier League goal of the season so far when he put Arsenal ahead against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
The Brazilian took his goal well at the City Ground, poking the ball between former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner’s legs from a tight angle. However, he should really have had a brace, as he managed to only strike the post with a very presentable opportunity earlier in the match.
Jesus has come under fire this season for his wastefulness in front of goal. Certainly, whilst he has never been what anyone would call a goal machine, he has shown in the past that he is capable of a better return of end product than he has produced recently.
There is no doubting the 26-year-old’s talent. He is exceptionally technically gifted and a relentlessly hard worker on the pitch, leading the press and combining with his teammates brilliantly. Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on the former Manchester City man in the past, and greatly values what he brings to the team.
If Jesus can find a way to become more prolific, then he would quickly find himself considered one of the best strikers in the game. He has now made a vow to try to take that next step.
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus makes goalscoring promise
Speaking after the win over Nottingham Forest, as quoted by the Independent, the 64-cap Brazil international said, “if you watch the game, you see me playing… I am close to 100 in the Premier League – that’s not easy. Then in the Champions League I am scoring a lot, in the national team I score. Sometimes, like I say, I am not focused on that [scoring goals] and that’s I think my mistake.”
“So now, I think I change my mindset and I will be in the box more – and I try everything to score. Also I am changing my mindset, I think I am more focused on the game now. Before, when I miss one or two chances [I may have got disheartened]… I think that was not the case today.”
“I think I created and my team gave me the ball – it was amazing – and I hit the post. I think it was more unlucky than a miss, but I keep trying. A minute after, I create another one and I miss the time to shoot, but I keep working, I keep trying, I keep focused on the game. I try to find another way to score and it worked. Sometimes it is all about this. Keep trying and then it works.”
Jesus has previously admitted that goalscoring is not one of the great strengths of his game, but he now seems determined to change that. The capability to do so is there. He referenced his Champions League record, for instance, which has been excellent this season as he has racked up four goals in five outings in that competition. Overall, in his Premier League career to date, he has scored 73 times in 202 appearances, which is certainly a respectable record, but not elite.
Arteta and all Arsenal fans will now be hoping that Jesus can make good on his word and hit a hot streak in front of goal in the second half of this season. If he can do that then there is every chance that the forward could defy his critics and fire Arsenal to a Premier League title triumph.
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