Arsenal have struggled for goals this season, but scored five goals past Crystal Palace at the Emirates yesterday.
In the first half, Arsenal came from two headed goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and an own goal from Dean Henderson to win the game, before a goal from Leandro Trossard and a goal from Gabriel Martinelli added the icing on the cake.
Arsenal are expected to sign a striker to solve their goal-scoring problems, as Gabriel Jesus has been criticised for his lack of threat inside the box this season. However, the Brazilian is a top footballer when it comes to his all-round game and, despite not scoring against Palace, he put in a good performance.
Martin Keown highlights the problem of Gabriel Jesus for Arsenal:
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Martin Keown said that while Jesus is a great footballer, his tendency to roam around the pitch instead of staying in the middle is causing him and his team to concede goals.
“I like him as a player. I think he’s a great player, but I think that’s the problem,” Keown said.
“Is he a predator? Does he really want to be in a central position? And he almost seemed to revert to his type there. ‘I’m going to get into a wide position and then I’m going to pass to somebody else’, but he’s not really breaking into the box.
‘You’ve got to want to get there, it’s got to be that desire to get to the ball, and he sees space, but for whatever reason he doesn’t want to get into that area; then he doesn’t get fed. Maybe he still needs to work in that area.
Does Arsenal have a problem with Gabriel Jesus?
Keown also pointed out how Jesus was used at Manchester City before transferring to Arsenal for £45 million, as the Brazilian often played on the wings under Pep Guardiola and in midfield under Mikel Arteta.
“It’s interesting that Pep [Guardiola] had him for quite a few years and decided to use him in the right position,” Keown added.
“That was the role he took on at Man City, but if he’s going to be Arsenal’s central striker, they’ll have to work more on keeping him in that central position.
“He works very hard for the team. He’s an exceptional talent, but I don’t see him as a predator at the moment.”
Jesus was outstanding as a central striker when he was in top form for Arsenal last season, but his performance yesterday provided an assist for Trossard and he should have had another.
His all-round play as a striker is leading to more goals for the whole team, but while he is not scoring himself, he will be criticised.
If Arsenal’s wingers and midfielders provide the goals like Trossard and Martinelli have done, Arteta’s team will be fine with Jesus up front. But when they lose form, Jesus may have to move out wide and Eddie Nketiah or Kai Havertz will have to step into the middle.