Arteta makes demand of Jesus but Arsenal have one much bigger problem

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is demanding more from Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Jesus is a hugely important players for Arsenal. The Brazilian striker’s dynamism, fair, and ability to relentlessly press opposition defenders makes him a key part of the Gunners’ attacking contingent.

However, for all of his talent, explosiveness, and skill, there is a major flaw in the £45 million forward’s game. Jesus’ finishing is unreliable.

This was exemplified in Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draw against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. A single passage of play demonstrated the best and worst of Jesus. The former Manchester City man did brilliantly to rob the ball off James Maddison in the Spurs box, but then, when composure was called for with only the goalkeeper to beat, Jesus lashed a wild effort over the bar.

Arsenal need Jesus to bury chances like those in big games. Mikel Arteta needs to be able to rely on the 26-year-old to be clinical in such situations. This is an area in which the 61-cap Brazil international must improve.

Arteta is now calling for more from Jesus. As quoted by the club’s official website, the Spanish coach has said, “he had a big impact in many areas of the pitch on the weekend [against Tottenham] and he was really, really helpful in many moments when we became really dominant through our high press with the moments that he produced. It’s true that in the final third we need to produce more, we have to be more ruthless there, and we all know that and we have to help the players to improve that.”

Arsenal have a bigger problem beyond Jesus

Arsenal certainly need to take their chances with greater regularity, and Jesus has a part to play in that. However, the issues with Arteta’s frontline run deeper than the Brazilian’s profligacy. According to the Premier League’s official stats, the Gunners have created just seven big chances this season so far.

Only Sheffield United, Burnley, Fulham, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest have created fewer. By contrast, Liverpool and Newcastle United have created seventeen big chances, Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur have created sixteen, and Manchester City and Chelsea have both created fifteen.

Chelsea’s form and league position proves simply creating big chances isn’t enough to guarantee success, but Arsenal’s underperformance in this area is a huge problem. Jesus may be wasteful at times, but he isn’t getting nearly enough service.