Alan Shearer says Gabriel looked ‘very sharp’ after he netted a brace and helped Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal record a valuable 4-1 win over Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.
By the time Arsenal had kicked off against the relegation-threatened side, Manchester City had closed the gap at the top of the Premier League table to five points after beating helpless Liverpool during the lunchtime kick-off.
But it was no bother for those in north London, who after 35 minutes, were opening the scoring when Gabriel Jesus was fouled by Luke Ayling inside the penalty box.
Arsenal’s star striker stepped up and dispatched his spot-kick before he added to Ben White and Granit Xhaka goals in the second half.
All in all, it was a comfortable return to the Premier League starting XI for Jesus, as Arteta was able to substitute the £265k-a-week star (Spotrac) after an hour for Bukayo Saka – Vinicius Jr reacted to Jesus’ performance.
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer hit plenty of balls into the back of the net during his playing days and he was full of praise for what Jesus produced, as he told Match of the Day.
“11 games, without a goal, before the World Cup for Jesus,” said Shearer. “But he is back. They have had to be patient with him because of his injury.
“That certainly worked because he looked very sharp. He perhaps should have scored his hat-trick because this was a good chance he could have put into the back of the net (header over the bar). He gets himself in between the two defenders there.
“He did really well here (winning the penalty). He could have gone down in the first challenge from Kristensen. He actually connects with him, but he says up. (Then is fouled by Luke Ayling) which is absolutely the right decision. He then gets up, he has the confidence to stick it straight down the middle.”
WILL JESUS KEEP HIS PLACE?
Yes, the big games are coming thick and fast for Arsenal, but they still have to be careful with their star striker because they don’t want him going down again.
Next Sunday, Arteta and his players make the trip to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who were beaten 4-1 by Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime, where Bukayo Saka is expected to return to the XI.
Given that Jesus is still charging his battery, then it wouldn’t be a surprise if he makes way for the Anfield trip, and then returns to the XI the following week, either way, what a headache for Arteta to have!
