Alan Shearer told Match of the Day 2 on Sunday evening that Gabriel Jesus is a “game changer” for Arsenal and “you can see the difference” when he plays for Mikel Arteta’s side – after another excellent outing against Bournemouth.
Jesus, 25, joined Arsenal in the summer from Manchester City for a fee in the region of £45million. A wonderful pre-season has continued into the Premier League campaign – already having a hand in five goals during his three games.
While he did not score against Bournemouth, he was heavily involved – getting an assist. Arsenal sit top of the table, and Jesus is the “main man”. He offers goals, assists, work rate – but the ability to dictate two central defenders.
His energy and running means two players have to mark him. That allows space for other Arsenal players to exploit. There is a huge difference from Jesus, to Alexandre Lacazette. Shearer said he is a “game changer” for the Gunners.
“Gamechanger for Arsenal with his ability. The confidence he has, the belief he is the main man at Arsenal. You can see the difference,” Shearer said in his analysis on Match of the Day, following the 3-0 win at Bournemouth.
Shearer: Jesus is a ‘game changer’ for Arsenal
He could actually be Arsenal’s best player. While Martin Odegaard is the skipper, and took the plaudits for a wonderful brace against Bournemouth, Jesus is absolutely perfect to the way Arteta wants to play.
For the first time in a while, Arsenal look as if they have a striker that compliments the way Arteta wants to play. He is willing to press, to run the channels. Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were certainly not as willing.
It saw Eddie Nketiah shine towards the end of last season – his pressing against Chelsea, for example. Jesus boasts the same kind of attributes. But he is clearly a better player in terms of quality when finishing and in possession.
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