Hargreaves & Hoddle say Arsenal new boy has one skill that’s ‘the best in the league’

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Owen Hargreaves thinks Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus is the best ‘pressing’ centre-forward in the Premier League.

Former Tottenham man Glenn Hoddle added that the Arsenal summer signing ‘does a lot of good things in his all-round game’ and it won’t be too long before he’s scoring again.

Jesus heads to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup in Brazil colours, with no Premier League goal since October.

But whilst that part of Jesus’ games frustrates the 25-year-old, both Hargreaves and Hoddle appreciate everything else he is bringing to the table, as they told Premier League Productions (12/11/22 at 8:40 pm).

“He has been fantastic for them this season,” said Hargreaves. “He is a little different to say your classic number nine. But he’s a handful. He’s been unlucky (with his missed chances). He has been fantastic this season – in some big moments, he’s not often there where I am sure Mikel Arteta wants him.

“What he does give them is this (pressing). That’s probably why Arsenal are top of the league. In terms of pressing, he is probably the best centre-forward in the division. He gives the team so much determination.”

Glenn Hoddle added: “He is trying to curl this into the top corner, if this goes into the top corner, then we are saying, ‘he is back up and running’.

“He does a lot of work for the team, at the moment. He does a lot of good things in his all-round game. He just needs one to settle him down. I think it’s one of those if he scores one, then it will come again. He’s not turned into a bad finisher overnight. Sometimes you think he’s out of position. I want him in the box more.”

CAN JESUS FIND HIS GOALSCORING TOUCH IN QATAR?

It will be interesting to see how Jesus is used by Brazil boss Tite because he isn’t a certain starter, nor a first-time option off the bench.

Brazil have some serious quality and depth to their forward line, so when Jesus is handed a chance, then he has to take it with both hands.

Given that the South American giants are one of the favourites to win the whole thing, then Arsenal might find that two of their star men – Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli – return as World Cup winners.

Even if it’s in the colours of Brazil, that can only help but elevate Arsenal’s own game for the second half of the season because they will have two players flying in the clouds in terms of confidence.