Alan Shearer says Gabriel Jesus would have found it ‘painful’ watching Arsenal thrive at the top of the Premier League whilst he was out injured.
On Sunday, after months on the sidelines with injury, Jesus returned to action for Mikel Arteta’s men when he came off the bench during their 3-0 win over Fulham.
The Premier League’s all-time top-scorer added that Jesus had the ‘near perfect’ return to action.
The £45 million star (BBC Sport) had an ample chance to score after coming off the bench, but he was denied by former Arsenal goalkeeper, Bernd Leno.
Either way, his return is a much-needed boost for those in Arsenal colours and their bid to win the Premier League title.
Shearer spoke about Jesus’ injury, what he would have found difficult during his time on the sidelines and how he can now boost his teammates, as he told Premier League Productions (12/03/23 at 4:15 pm).
“I think it’s great for the Arsenal squad,” said Shearer. “If you remember the questions pre-World Cup ‘Oh my God, Jesus is going to be out for so long. Can Arsenal carry on that form?’
“They are actually, at times, I know they had one or two rocky periods, in terms of having to win games and they had a disappointing result against Brentford and Everton. But they are actually in a better position. With him now coming back onto the bench, mentally for the rest of the Arsenal squad, the manager and the fans. The belief and confidence that should give them. I think it’s a healthier football club now compared to what it was pre-World Cup.
“I think, for him personally as well, we have both (Shearer and Wright) been there with long-term injuries. To have an injury, it’s tough. You are in the gym on your own. You see the lads going out to training. Then, you are sat there with a machine on your leg and you can’t do anything – when Arsenal are flying high like they are, you can imagine how painful it has been for him mentally to sit there watch and go through all of that.
On return from the bench: “Nearly (the perfect return). The result was perfect. Him getting on for 15 or so minutes was perfect. You can imagine what it would have done for him. I know he will be feeling good because he will be back on the football pitch. The atmosphere and you get that great feeling again. But it would have been perfect if that ball hit the back of the net.”
ARSENAL’S ATTACK THRIVING
From Gabriel Martinelli to new boy Leandro Trossard, Arsenal’s forward line is thriving like never before.
That three-game blip, which also saw defeats to Everton and Manchester City, is now a long, long away because the Premier League leaders are starting to cook once more.
The bench is as strong as ever, goals are being scored for fun, the clean sheets are back and the lead at the top of the tree to Manchester City is five points.
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