Arsenal will need to be at their best to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week to progress to the semi-finals.
Mikel Arteta’s side did not show their usual defensive solidity in the home leg of the quarter-finals on Tuesday, battling to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates, having given away two cheap goals.
Arteta did then make an excellent set of substitutions to rescue a draw from 2-1 down, with Gabriel Jesus coming off the bench to assist fellow substitute Leandro Trossard for an excellent equaliser.
Arsenal will travel to Munich next week aiming to beat the six-time winners to set up a semi-final tie with Manchester City or Real Madrid, and Jesus could end up being vital to any chance the Gunners have of progression.
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Gabriel Jesus will be key for Arsenal in the Champions League
The Brazilian’s outstanding cameo against Bayern has now been highlighted by journalist Jordan Campbell, who has now explained why he will be vital for Arsenal in the competition.
“Gabriel Jesus was able to come right across and just basically play a free role. I thought he was unbelievable,” he stated on The Arsenal Beat Podcast.
“This is a guy who’s talking about the fact he can’t remember the last day he played without pain. This guy is so sharp, and his brain worked so quickly in those little pockets of space.
“I think he could be the key player in the Champions League. We’ve seen his performance early in the season at Sevilla. Maybe in the Premier League, Kai Havertz is the guy from now until the end of the season, but Jesus, even if he’s off the left or if he’s in central areas, if he doesn’t start, then I mean what a player to bring on.
“You can bring him on anywhere across the front and I think that is the versatility that Arsenal do need, and they have got now.”
Gabriel Jesus brings a wealth of Champions League experience to Arsenal
The game against Bayern may have taught Arteta a lesson, that experience is crucial in the Champions League, and this showed as Jesus came off the bench to contribute a lot more than the younger Gabriel Martinelli did.
Jesus has scored 24 goals in 45 games in the Champions League, whilst also providing eight assists, and he previously reached and started the 2021 final with Manchester City.
Having a player who has been part of winning sides in Champions League knockout rounds will be incredibly valuable to Arteta, and there is a strong case to be made that he should start at the Allianz Arena next week, to bring both a goal threat as well as an experienced head to an Arsenal side lacking in it.