Gabriel Jesus has changed Arsenal’s “dynamic” and helped instil belief in the team, according to Mikel Arteta.
Jesus is back fit following a long injury lay-off, which has kept him on the sidelines since the World Cup. The Brazilian striker picked up a serious knee injury at the World Cup, but came off the bench during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal signed Jesus from Manchester City for £45million in the summer and he was their first-choice striker throughout the first half of the season. Speaking ahead of kick-off against Fulham, Arteta hailed the 25-year-old’s impact on the squad.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “Huge. His presence, what he transmits to the team, the experience he already has in these types of games… He’s a huge player for us.
“He has changed our dynamic, he has changed our belief, he has put the team in a different status, so it is great to have him back.”
Jesus received a huge cheer from the Arsenal away fans when he came off the bench in the 75th minute at Fulham. And he nearly marked his return to the team with a goal, but his shot after being played in by Fabio Vieira was blocked by a Fulham defender.
He has contributed five goals and seven assists in 21 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season. In his absence, Eddie Nketiah led the line in the New Year, but he lost form before picking up an injury himself.
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January signing Leandro Trossard has given Arsenal another option in attack, while Gabriel Martinelli has also shown his ability to play centrally, rather than on the left. But Jesus’ return will undoubtedly give the Gunners a boost as they bid to win their first Premier League title in 19 years.
“We lost Eddie as well, so it’s much more important to have Gabi back,” Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka said on Thursday night. “Leo as well is injured and he can play in this position.
“Step by step, I hope that Gabi will be 100 per cent fit to help this team because we know that he can help us. With his attitude, with his personality, he is very, very important for us.”
Arteta has often spoken about the team spirit in his squad and believes that should help them in the run-in. Last weekend, Arsenal came from 2-0 down against Bournemouth to win 3-2 with a dramatic late winner from Reiss Nelson.
“The energy, the chemistry that was generated in the stadium was amazing,” Arteta said. “It gives you that lift right until the last moment you are able to win games and you need that trust, I believe in the team that it is going to happen.
“Every game is different and those margins are so small. Especially the way we’ve been playing we should have won the games with bigger margins so we need to improve on that.”
