“We would have won the game but he was all over the field… it’s unfortunate Mikel Arteta doesn’t know how use to such fantastic player”: Bolton coach says his team has never face a player like £78m Arsenal player in his entire career, praises the superstar
“We would have won the game but he was all over the field… it’s unfortunate Mikel Arteta doesn’t know how use to such fantastic player”: Bolton coach says his team has never face a player like £78m Arsenal player in his entire career, praises the superstar
Sky Sports pundit in awe by Arsenal star’s ‘brilliance’ vs Bolton in 5-1 League Cup win
Arsenal booked their ticket into the fourth round of the League Cup with a comfortable 5-1 win against League One side Bolton Wanderers.
Mikel Arteta handed four debuts on the night with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly making their first starts for the Gunners, with the main story being 16-year-old Jack Porter starting between the sticks for Arsenal.
Despite the amount of youth on show, it was an easy night at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal as goals from Declan Rice, Nwaneri and Kai Havertz secured a hassle-free win, with Raheem Sterling also bagging his first goal for Arteta’s side.
Yet Sky Sports commentator and pundit Michael Bridges was impressed by one moment from an Arsenal player on the night.
Gabriel Jesus’ ‘brilliance’ praised after work in Arsenal goal vs Bolton
Speaking on Sky Sports coverage of the match, the former Sunderland striker showered Gabriel Jesus with praise after the Brazilian international’s work in Havertz’s goal on the night, with the Arsenal striker beating two Bolton defenders and losing his boot in the process.
Signed for £45m in 2022, Jesus has endured another slow start to the season with Havertz once again viewed by Arteta as the main man in the attack, yet despite not scoring again, the former Manchester City man had bright moments against Bolton, and arguably the slickest piece of action of the night.
Bridges said on the commentary: “There’s Brazillian brilliance from Jesus on that right-hand side, he’s got no right to win it. He loses his football boot but he plays the pass, and then it’s the man who’s been magnificent tonight, Sterling.
“Havertz is the fastest to react because he’s the freshest. But that moment from Jesus, the whole of the Emirates will be delighted to see that. That’s what football’s all about.”
Jesus will feel he could have done more for Arsenal tonight
Despite no official goal contributions, Jesus had a strong game leading the line for Arsenal in what was a great night for the Gunners’ academy prospects, who were the real story of the match against Bolton.
Yet for Jesus himself, the Brazilian will feel he could have done more to send a message to Arteta against the League One side, with the striker yet to score this season after a poor showing last campaign with Arsenal.
Indeed, Jesus is likely to return to the bench for Saturday’s Premier League tie against Leicester City, and the former City man knows tonight was a real opportunity to show his worth as Arsenal’s main striker against a side who were there for the taking.
