Mikel Arteta warned ‘outstanding’ £45m Arsenal star has big ‘issue’ after Palace

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Arsenal have struggled for goals this season, but hit five past Crystal Palace in a comfortable victory at the Emirates yesterday.

Two set-piece goals in the first half, with a Gabriel Magalhaes header and an own goal by Dean Henderson, sent Arsenal on their way to victory before a goal from Leandro Trossard and a brace from Gabriel Martinelli added the icing on the cake.

Arsenal have been told to sign a striker to solve their goalscoring issues, with Gabriel Jesus picking up criticism for his lack of threat inside the box this season. However, the Brazilian is a top-class footballer when it comes to his all-round play, and delivered a strong performance despite not scoring against Palace.

Martin Keown highlights Gabriel Jesus issue for Arsenal

Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Arsenal Invincible Martin Keown claimed that whilst Jesus is an excellent footballer, his tendency to roam the pitch rather than staying in the centre is costing him and his side goals.

“I like him as a player. I think he is an excellent player but I just feel there is an issue,” Keown stated.

“Is he the predator? Does he really want to get into that central position? And it almost seemed like he went back to type there. ‘I’ll wander into a wide position and then I’ll feed somebody else,’ but he doesn’t really make the runs into the box.

“You have got to want to get there, it’s got to be that desire to get on the ball and he can see the space but for whatever reason he doesn’t want to get into that area; then they don’t feed him. That’s an area, perhaps, he needs to work on.

Do Arsenal have a Gabriel Jesus problem?

Keown has also highlighted how Jesus was used at Manchester City before his £45m move to Arsenal, with the Brazilian often starting on the wings under Pep Guardiola, but centrally under Mikel Arteta.

“It’s just interesting that Pep [Guardiola] had him for quite a few years and decided to use him in that right position,” Keown added.

“That looked like the role he took up for Man City, but if he is going to be Arsenal’s centre-forward then they are going to have to do more work on keeping him in that central position.

“He works so hard for the team. He is an outstanding talent but I don’t see him as a predator right now.”

Jesus was outstanding as a central striker when at his best form for Arsenal last season, and his performance yesterday saw him provide an assist for Trossard, and he should have had another.

His all-round play as a striker leads to more goals as a team as a whole, but whilst he is not scoring himself, he is going to attract criticism.

Nevertheless, if Arsenal’s wingers and midfielders can provide goals, like Trossard and Martinelli did, then Arteta’s side will be fine with Jesus upfront. However, when they lose their form, then Jesus may have to move wide with Eddie Nketiah or Kai Havertz coming into the middle.