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Gabriel Jesus: Why his goal record is not an issue

By Toby Hill

Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 6, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (C) vies with Chelsea's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (R) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 6, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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If there is one new signing that has rejuvenated this Arsenal side, it is Gabriel Jesus.

Since joining the Gunners from Manchester City in the summer, the Brazilian has helped propel Arsenal to the top of the Premier League and an unexpected title charge.

Jesus, who has just been named in Brazil’s World Cup squad, has five goals and five assists in the league this season but he also hasn’t scored since Arsenal beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on 1 October.

Why we should not worry about Gabriel Jesus’ drought

Nonetheless, his lack of goals has not hindered the side; he has been contributing in other ways.

What Jesus offers to Mikel Arteta is not clinical goalscoring, but rather energy and hold-up play in attack. His performance against Chelsea highlights this. While he missed a big-headed chance from compatriot Gabriel Martinelli’s cross earlier on in the match, he won the ball back from Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva in the build-up to the corner from which Arsenal scored and subsequently won the game as a result.

So, while the 25-year-old not scoring anymore is not ideal for the north London club, what he does offer is exceptional. We have seen it throughout the whole season: on just his first Premier League start for the Gunners in August, the Brazilian glided past the Crystal Palace defence at Selhurst Park before having his shot blocked by the oncoming defenders. Against Leicester City, he did something similar. On Sunday, he broke away past Thiago Silva before finding Martin Odegaard, who fired just over the bar.

Of course, there are going to be fans who worry about his drought, but where there are chances created, there will be goals, and Jesus is always there for the chances. More importantly for Arteta is that Arsenal continue to score, and they are doing just that.

In fact, Arsenal are the only side to score in every Premier League match so far this season. So, for now, there is no need to worry about Jesus’ lack of goals. His contribution has become integral to Arsenal’s success. The goals will come in time.

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