One Arsenal star has now been warned that he is currently at risk of falling out of favour with Mikel Arteta and the supporters.
Mikel Arteta and the Emirates Stadium faithful may be on the verge of real frustration with one misfiring Arsenal star.
Gabriel Jesus has not enjoyed his most productive season so far. Injuries have restricted the 27-year-old to just 20 Premier League appearances to date this season, and he has only managed four goals across those outings.
Against his former club, Manchester City, last time out, Jesus was brought back into the starting XI. However, the Brazilian was not deployed up front, but rather on the left flank, covering for the unfit Gabriel Martinelli.
Kai Havertz was instead preferred to lead the line at the Etihad Stadium. The German offers an aerial presence and physicality that Jesus cannot match and appears to be a good tactical fit for this Arsenal team. Havertz has shone as a striker in recent weeks and has now arguably established himself as Arteta’s first choice pick in that position.
Gabriel Jesus faces repeat of Man City situation at Arsenal
In the meantime, Jesus may now be facing the prospect of increased game time on the wing, especially with Bukayo Saka also struggling to maintain full fitness at this time. Arteta admitted after the draw with Manchester City that Saka was “fatigued.”
Jesus has been in this situation in his career before. He was regularly deployed out wide by Pep Guardiola in his time at Manchester City. The opportunity to prove that he has what it takes to lead the line in the Premier League week in, week out, will have played a big part in his decision to join Arsenal in a £45 million switch in the summer of 2022.
He will not want to find himself cast out to the flanks again, but it is a prospect he now faces. Jesus has previously vowed to make changes to his game in order to become more prolific, but unless he can suddenly discover a clinical edge that he has so far lacked, then Arsenal will continue to be linked with potential striker signings.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Gabriel Jesus from his height to girlfriend
Gabriel Jesus sent warning about Arsenal role
Journalist Oliver Young-Myles, writing for i news, has now stated, “there was a moment at the end of Arsenal’s draw with Manchester City on Sunday when the two No 9s [Jesus and Man City striker Erling Haaland] embraced and exchanged a quick joke. A fleeting meeting of minds: the ruthless goalscorer and the selfless all-rounder. They probably would have made an excellent partnership in another era.”
“Another reason could be that his previous manager ultimately decided to repurpose him as a hard-working wide player and his current boss is showing an inclination for doing the same. If a coach loses faith in your penalty box instincts, so will supporters.”
If there was ever a time that Arsenal needed Jesus to step up and hit a prolific patch of form, then it is right now. The Gunners need to pick up all the points they can over the course of the run-in if they are to stand any chance of being crowned Premier League champions.
Far from falling out of favour, Jesus could establish himself as an Arsenal icon with a good run in front of goal in the coming weeks.