Gabriel Jesus's performances have been a prominent talking point in the midst of Arsenal's rise to the top of the Premier League this season following his arrival from Man City in the summer. Jesus made a blistering start to his Arsenal career scoring two goals and notching three assists in his first three appearances.
Despite his electric start in north London, where he also then netted three goals from the proceeding five games, finding the back of the net has been significantly harder more recently for the 25-year-old, who has not scored since the north London derby victory over Tottenham on October 1.
Mikel Arteta has been quick to jump the defence of his £45million man, who he insisted was still hugely important to what the team does despite his lack of goals. “It does bother him for sure,” Arteta told BT Sport on his goal scoring woes after victory over FC Zurich in the Europa League. “Knowing him, when he scores two he wants to score four.
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"Today he had a couple of good chances as well, but what he generates for the team is amazing. Last week he gave three assists, today he was involved in every action again. The goals will come.”
Although he has struggled to display consistent goal scoring form since departing City after nearly six years at the club, Jesus was called up to Brazil's World Cup squad along with team-mate Gabriel Martinelli. The duo were left out of Tite's squad for the September fixtures, but were included as two of the names set to head out to Qatar to represent Brazil.
Many have shown their support for Jesus regarding his woes in front of goal and the forward also commented on that side of his game after Brazil's World Cup win against Switzerland. "No, I don't think so," Jesus replied when asked whether finishing is a problem for him, as per Apostagolos.
Jesus remains confident in himself while Arteta is also backing his man to start banging in the goals soon and if that wasn't enough reassurance, one of the greatest footballers of all time, Ronaldo Nazario also known as 'R9', has shown his support for Jesus labelling him as 'one of the best in the world', with the pair very good friends.
The Brazilian legend has spoken more on Jesus recently, discussing his performances with the Gunners so far this season and his battle for the number one spot at the point of Brazil's attack with Richarlison at the World Cup.
He told UOL Esporte : “Jesus came to have dinner with us, he stayed by my side there, I met his little daughter, the most beautiful thing. We exchanged ideas, he is a very good friend of mine, we have been talking for many years. A very special boy. I was chatting with him, reassuring him. He really is having a spectacular year at Arsenal. I was talking to him about how much pleasure I am getting from watching Arsenal play this year.
“Gabriel is there as Richarlison’s reserve, but pressing. I hope he plays a great game that he can score a lot of goals and put even more pressure on Richarlison, that this dispute between them is very healthy, very cool.”
Jesus joined Martinelli in starting Brazil's final group fixture against Cameroon, with Tite making nine changes as qualification was already guaranteed, but the duo could not stop Brazil from losing against theor west African opponents, as Vincent Aboubakar won the game for Cameroon deep into stoppage time, before duly being dismissed after picking up a second yellow card in the game as he took his shirt off while celebrating.
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