Michael Lahoud feels Gabriel Jesus must ‘come good’ and help Bukayo Saka if Arsenal are to potentially win their first Champions League trophy during the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old helped Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Sevilla on Tuesday night with the Gunners’ second goal. Jesus also assisted Brazil teammate Gabriel Martinelli to break the deadlock at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They were his first assist and fourth goal of this season so far.
Jesus has scored one goal in each of Arsenal’s three Champions League Group B games this term. He added to efforts by Saka and Leandro Trossard as the Gunners beat PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at Emirates Stadium. The striker also broke the deadlock at RC Lens but Arsenal lost 2-1.
Jesus will be key to Arsenal challenging for the Champions League
Lahoud feels Jesus is a completely different player in the Champions League to who he is in the Premier League. The former Philadelphia Union player took particular issue with the 63-cap Selecao star’s form at Chelsea last Saturday. He also feels Arsenal fans share his view.
“Jesus, this was an important match for him,” Lahoud said on CBS Sports. “I thought he had a terrible performance against Chelsea, and Arsenal fans have been disappointed with him.
“The inconsistency and goalscoring in the Premier League? Not in the Champions League. He is Mr UEFA Champions League for the Gunners, scored in each of their matches so far.
“You need to look no further, apart from Saka, as a talisman. Jesus – he’s not wearing the armband, as well, in big European nights – he is a player who has to come good for Arsenal to have a chance in the Champions League.”
Arsenal have only ever reached the Champions League final once when Arsene Wenger led them to the 2006 UEFA showpiece. Barcelona won the clash in Paris 2-1 after coming from behind. Sol Campbell gave the Gunners the lead before Jens Lehmann was given a red card.
Jesus needs to replicate his European form in the Premier League
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hooked Jesus after 68 minutes at Chelsea on Saturday whilst they trailed 2-0. Eddie Nketiah replaced the Brazilian, before Declan Rice and Trossard pulled the Gunners level at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal stayed unbeaten in the Premier League this term.
The London derby was Jesus’ seventh appearance and fourth start in the Premier League so far this season. He started this campaign on the sidelines after surgery for an aggravation of the knee injury he suffered during the World Cup. But Jesus has only scored once this term.
Jesus scored his sole top-flight goal this season in cool style to help beat Manchester United 3-1 in September. Arteta introduced Jesus in the 76th minute and watched him evade Jonny Evans’ desperate lung inside the six-yard box before effortlessly firing beyond Andre Onana.
But Jesus has not built on that attempt, or his goals in the Champions League, over Arsenal’s Premier League matches. The injury situation at Arsenal has contributed vaguely with Arteta having to use Jesus out wide. But he started as a striker at Chelsea yet struggled to create.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
