Thierry Henry has claimed that Gabriel Jesus’ impact at Arsenal is similar to what Robert Lewandoski has brought to the table at Barcelona this season.
The legendary Premier League striker was talking about the ‘winning mentality’ the duo have brought to Arsenal and Barcelona, respectively, and how they have been impactful, aside from just their goals, as he told CBS Sports (04/10/22 at 7:40 pm).
After winning ten Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich, including the Champions League, Lewandoski wanted to write a new chapter in his trophy-laden career and he headed to the Nou Camp, where Xavi is trying to repair a footballing giant on its knees.
Whilst Arsenal weren’t facing the same issues as those from Catalonia, Mikel Arteta still needed to bring proven winners to his doorstep after missing out on Champions League football, and that’s why he knocked on the door of Manchester City and signed Jesus.
The Brazil superstar has been used to winning in the colours of Man City and now he wants to transcend that mindset to his new club, and whilst Barcelona have previously been dominant, they too needed that winning experience, which Lewandoski provides in bucket loads.
When Thierry Henry was comparing the two, the World Cup winner was trying to make the point that Lewandoski has had as much of an impact at the Nou Camp as goal-crazy Erling Haaland has had at Man City, he used Jesus as an example and explained why.
“I am saying Lewandowski has as big of an impact on what Erling Haaland is doing also,” said Henry. “If you could argue, Man City, were they at the top of the league last season? Were they competing? (Yes). Were Barcelona top of the league? No, they weren’t.
“I am not always talking about the goals or what you do. Sometimes a player has an impact on what he does and what he brings, for example, Gabriel Jesus. I am bringing Arsenal into this. You can see what he’s bringing to the team. That winning mentality.
“Not a lot of players won in that team at Barcelona, the league. You have a couple of the old guard that did it, but not a lot of the guys did it. What Lewandowski is bringing, on top of the goals, is how everyone is playing around him.
“You can see how they speak when he is there. But no-one is disputing what Haaland is doing. What Haaland is doing is stupid.”
REAL TEST TO COME FOR JESUS
When Arsenal faltered last season, it came during the final few months of the season, when they didn’t react well to injuries and lost high-pressured games.
Even though they are sitting at the top of the Premier League table right now, it wouldn’t be a surprise if those noises are heard again this season.
If that’s the case, then a player like Jesus, what he has done before, will all be put to the test because many will be looking towards the multiple Premier League winner, not just to perform, but to lift those around him.
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