Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus has been likened to England's record international goal scorer Wayne Rooney, with claims that they both possessed a style of "street football". That comparison comes despite the Brazilian's recent difficulties in front of goal, currently going eight games without finding the back of the net in all competitions.
Given the importance of getting a result on Thursday night, the 25-year-old was called into action against FC Zurich in the Europa League. The Gunners had to match or better PSV Eindhoven's result to ensure they finished top of the group and earn a bye to the round of 16 rather than playing an extra game against a team dropping from the Champions League.
While they managed to do that, it was yet another game where Jesus failed to find his shooting boots, even missing a chance to score from a few yards out that saw him react by hitting a pillar of the goal in frustration. It means questions still hang over his head as well as Mikel Arteta's as to whether they have the goal scorer they so badly craved last season.
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"That's going to change," Arteta told reporters on Thursday when asked about the striker's luck in front of goal. "He's getting the situations, he's getting the chances, he's contributing to the team an awful lot, he's helping to win matches, the way he competes for every ball in every single action is incredible.
"It will come, he needs to be patient, he's been through that in the past and he needs to learn those lessons and don't stop doing those other things that he's doing so well, because that's going to maintain the level of him and the team."
While he is yet to be quite as prolific as Rooney, his unselfish nature has drawn comparisons to the former Manchester United forward. Speaking on BT Sport, Fara Williams said: "He reminds me a little bit of Rooney and having that ‘street football’ style, wanting to be involved and show that passion and that grit and desire on and off the ball. Rooney was the ultimate team player and many people think he could have got more goals, but when he (Jesus) in that nine, he wants to be that team player and starting the press from the front.
Keown expanded on that point and added: "His movement and involvement, he came very deep to draw players out of position. He is tenacious in those areas, he holds onto the ball well and produces those little glimpses of skill. It was just those moments in front of goal that he will be disappointed with. No one is going to question his commitment to the team and I think he is a role model for those players because no matter what game it is, he is always giving 110% to the cause."
Given the importance of Rooney for his sides throughout the years, there will be hopes that Jesus can certainly live up to those standards.
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