Mikel Arteta warned of big issue as Arsenal star is compared to Liverpool legend

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Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has come in for criticism recently, with it claimed that Arsenal need a natural goalscorer upfront.

Jesus missed several chances against West Ham last week, and was then subsequently benched against Fulham as Arsenal fell to back-to-back defeats.

The Brazil star recently admitted that scoring goals is not his strongest ability, but it is his top-class ability in build-up and outside the box that makes him so good.

He has now been compared to Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, who helped Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah form one of the best attacking trios in the world, and it was his work as a false nine which helped the attack flow as well as it did.

Gabriel Jesus compared to Roberto Firmino

Speaking on TalkSPORT (02/01/24, 6.58AM), Dean Saunders claimed that whilst Jesus brings a lot to build-up, there are question marks over whether he can be the main goalscorer for Arsenal as a striker.

“And if you look, I mean I go back to Liverpool again where you’ve got Firmino playing down the middle, Salah and Mane playing either side of him.

“Firmino would make the difference. A 25-year-old Firmino now would make the difference around the box for Liverpoool because Salah needs to play one-twos with people.

“Jesus is like Firmino around the box, really clever, world-class footballer. He doesn’t have the instinct to get you 20 goals.

“So, the argument is, do you get Ivan Toney and leave Jesus out? But if you leave Jesus out, he’s in the magic triangle when they play the one-twos, he’s a great player.”

Gabriel Jesus is worth more than goals to Arsenal

Despite his lack of goals in recent weeks, the criticism of Jesus has been over the top, particularly given that Arsenal also struggled to create significant chances in some of their recent games where points were dropped.

Both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have struggled for form, and whilst Jesus has also struggled, it is clear that Arsenal are a better attacking force with him in the side.

Arsenal have been linked with Ivan Toney, but whilst the Englishman may have more goalscoring potential, this arguably does not effectively replace what Jesus brings to the side outside the area, and the Brazilian is still a better option for Mikel Arteta despite his problems in front of goal.

Firmino was never a prolific goalscorer for Liverpool, but his link-up play helped get the best out of his teammates in front of goal, and Jesus had a similar impact last season, with Martinelli, Saka and Martin Odegaard all producing strong levels of output.