3 standout players from Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leicester

1. Gabriel Jesus

With two goals and two assists, who else could be chosen as the standout player against Leicester? The effect Gabriel Jesus has had not just on the attack but the team as a whole has been utterly transformative. He drifts wide to receive the ball, combining well before arriving in the box to finish off a chance he helped create. That ability to start and end moves is something Arsenal have been missing for years. Lacazette could do the former and Aubameyang the latter but Jesus can do both.

His physicality in challenging for long balls and running into the channels provides an out ball for Arsenal’s defence as well. The way he spun Jonny Evans was nothing short of beautiful. Jesus also led the press with Odegaard, never giving the Leicester defenders a second to breathe.

Jesus’ mentality must not be brushed aside either. His interviews exhibit an inspiring hunger for more. He cited his disappointment in not scoring one or two more and Arteta has reinforced this new mentality with his own responses. His goalscoring and leadership (settling nerves and attacking with efficiency after conceding two soft goals is no easy task) will prove crucial as Arsenal push for a return to the Champions League.

Arsenal’s first few fixtures see them as favourites going in but they must still get the job done. Against Leicester, they certainly did so. While the attack looked dangerous every time players burst forward, there are plenty of aspects of the game that merit analysis and improvement. Arteta’s work is certainly not done as Arsenal look to Bournemouth next.