Michael Owen and Ian Wright lauded the ‘cool’ nature in which Gabriel Jesus took his goal as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday at the Emirates.
The 26-year-old was injured in pre-season, so he has missed the opening games of the new season and is yet to start a Premier League game this season, but he has returned in recent weeks from the bench.
Despite Gabriel Jesus only being on the pitch for 14 minutes, he made a difference for Arsenal, with Owen calling the player ‘perfect’, as he told Premier League Productions (03/09/23 at 7:00 pm).
With Arsenal chasing a winner, Jesus came onto the pitch and caused issues all over the pitch with his defence-breaking ability to carry the ball at will.
Well, moments after Declan Rice scored the winning goal, Jesus couldn’t believe his luck because he was rushing through on goal with Jonny Evans trying to close him down – Ian Wright reacted to the controversy in stoppage-time.
But in expert fashion, the Brazil star made Evans lay flat on the floor, as he slotted home his side’s third of the evening, with Owen and Wright seriously impressed by what he did.
“We are talking about a period of a game where you, either run that into a corner, or if you get into this situation, if Jonny Evans comes across like that, it helps,” said Wright.
“You are kind of in a situation where, even if you miss that, the referee is probably going to blow the whistle.
“I have to say, the calm nature in which he took it. He is aware of his surroundings. He knows he is coming in at pace. You want to see someone like him on that finish.”
Owen added: “That’s the sign of a centre-forward as well. Imagine the emotion around that stadium. The players, fans and everything. And you are running through on goal. Everybody else is taking a deep breath. But you have the presence and coolness of mind to think coldly in front of the goal. No, I am going to fake to shoot. Take my time. I am going to take my time. That’s what centre-forwards do. Perfect player at the perfect time.”
Jesus a key player for Arsenal
That injury at the 2022 Qatar World Cup disrupted his season as he returned during the latter stages of the campaign, and once again, he has been halted in pre-season.
If Arsenal can get a fit and firing Jesus starting on a regular basis, then he will be a very important player for them and someone who has the ability to hit double-figure goals.
But it’s not just the goals that he scores, it’s how he opens space for his teammates, carries the ball for fun across the pitch, his link-up play and ability to win the ball back so high up the pitch. A very valuable player to Arteta.
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