Gilberto Silva says £45m Arsenal star must now ‘step up’, he’s not started for weeks

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Gilberto Silva has urged Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus to step up with the Brazilian international only now back from a lengthy injury.

The £45m signing from Manchester City has spent the past few weeks out on the treatment table with Arsenal since going on one of their best runs of form in Premier League history.

The north London side have won their last seven games, with Kai Havertz or Leandro Trossard leading the line for Arsenal as Jesus has spent most of this period out in the injury room and on the bench.

Gilberto Silva urges Gabriel Jesus to fight at Arsenal

And speaking to the Athletic, Arsenal legend Gilberto has urged Jesus to fight for his spot in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, with the 26-year-old forward currently in a losing battle.

Indeed, whilst Arsenal might be resting Jesus so the striker is 100% fit for next week’s UEFA Champions League clash against FC Porto, the Gunners need their Brazilian forward back to his best form if they’re to compete.

Gilberto said when asked about Jesus’ form for Arsenal in recent weeks: “I haven’t seen him step up and take the position yet. I would love to see it because it’s an opportunity for him.

“He’s a good player, but he needs to show more confidence in himself and say, ‘I’m going to fight, I have an opportunity to establish myself as number one’, and then you create good competition.”

Gabriel Jesus hitting form now could lead to history

Jesus is arguably Arsenal’s most dangerous attacker if the former City star is in form and at his brilliant best in the forward line for the Gunners.

We fans not really seeing this side to the striker’s game this season, Jesus hitting form at this stage of the year could be what swings the title in Arsenal’s favour heading into the final games of the campaign.

Indeed, Jesus raising his levels now could be what gets Arsenal over the line in the Premier League, and many fans will want to see what the Brazilian can do when finally in form in this Arteta system.