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The midweek performance for Arsenal was encouraging. They travelled to Belgium and took away three points in the Champions League, scoring three and conceding none.
There were many positives for the Gunners to take — Noni Madueke played superbly yet again, and Christian Norgaard acted with authority — but none more so than the return of Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian attacker was missing for 11 months, but he came back from the bench and won the hearts of Arsenal fans instantly. Being involved in link-up play all over the pitch, Jesus infused the energy Arsenal desperately needed after losing to Aston Villa the previous weekend.
Mikel Arteta just gave Gabriel Jesus the rallying call he needed
And now, Mikel Arteta expects Gabriel Jesus to push for a starting role in the team. The competition for places at center forward is heftier than it has been in ages, with Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz (injured) and Viktor Gyokeres all capable of playing through the center.
Jesus, however, offers something that the other options do not. His skill level, link-up play and dribbling ability could be required in games. Others may be out-and-out poachers and aggressive strikers, but Gabriel Jesus is the perfect antidote to that.
Speaking to the press before facing Wolves this weekend, Mikel Arteta said: “Yes [Gabriel Jesus could push to be a starting center forward], I mean a player of his quality, a player that has given us so much and he comes with the energy that he came the other day. He's certainly a player that has to be pushing and aiming for that, that's for sure.”
It would be great to see Gabriel Jesus given more chances to impress. It was clear from his short cameo against Brugge that he is hungry to succeed. He was obviously brewing in injury rehab, and now that he's back, he has a lot to get off his chest.
The Brazilian is just a pure footballer—somebody who you could watch on the ball for years.
Having the ability to do the unthinkable in possession, the key is just getting the ball to him and seeing what he can do with it.
His work off the ball is also quite remarkable. He plays with tenacity, aggression and high energy. Just because he is flashy and has skills up his sleeve, that doesn't mean he's afraid to get stuck in with the nitty-gritty.
For Arsenal, now, the only hope is that he stays fit.