Gabriel Jesus has returned as an option for Mikel Arteta, a development that is set to increase pressure on Viktor Gyokeres to deliver consistently for Arsenal. The Swedish striker arrived with high expectations, but his goal return has not matched what many anticipated when the Gunners completed his signing.
Arteta was searching for a forward who could elevate Arsenal to a higher level than in recent seasons. When Gyokeres joined, there was hope that he would transfer the impressive form he showed in Portugal into the Premier League. Instead, his time at the club so far has been marked by limited goals, with Arsenal often relying on contributions from midfielders and wide players to secure results.
Gyokeres under increasing scrutiny
Before Gyokeres’ arrival, Arsenal were not overly dependent on a traditional number nine to score the majority of their goals. Even now, despite the striker’s struggles in front of goal, the team have continued to win matches. However, there is a growing sense that their campaign would be far stronger if their main striker were converting chances regularly.
As the season progresses, Gyokeres faces the challenge of justifying his place in the starting lineup. Competition is intensifying, and the return of Jesus adds another layer of difficulty. The Brazilian’s availability means Arteta has an alternative who is familiar with the system and offers different qualities in attack.
Carragher backs Jesus as a stronger option
Jamie Carragher has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Gyokeres may find it difficult to establish himself as Arsenal’s first-choice striker, as reported by the Metro. He said, “I actually think it’s going to be tough for Gyokeres to be the first-choice Arsenal striker.”
Carragher expanded on his view by highlighting the qualities of Jesus, adding, “Especially when Gabriel Jesus gets up to speed, who I actually think is a better player than Gyokeres, I think Gyokeres will score more goals over season but I think in terms of everything you’d want from a centre-forward, I think Jesus is probably a better player.”
These comments show the pressure now facing Gyokeres. While his goal potential is recognised, the overall contribution required from an Arsenal striker may favour Jesus, leaving Arteta with a significant decision as the season unfolds.
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It’s been constant comments about Gyokeres since he was signed.. EPL takes a lot of getting used to and also our players haven’t really played to his best attributes.. we ahve seen glimpses.of balls.over the top.or into space but other than that’s it’s been the same sideways movement and then everything down the left through Saka.
I like Jesus a lot but it’s a bit strange author suggesting Jesus is better when so many on here have pilloried him. and then quoting that humpty.Carragher !
For.me Gyo and Jesus can both play together and also separately as the No 9 as they bring different aspects to the game.. Might do Gyo.some.good to start.on the bench and give Jesus a run out and so he has to earn it back but ai think he got unlucky same as Jesus with Injury at the worst time when both were just getting into a run of form.
Best of luck to both of them to get us wins on the pitch. They both seem like great guys and team players
COYG
👍
Yes Jesus is a better starter on Wednesday Carabao Cup v Palace not in EPL matches. He needs some more games to regain his fitness, agility and confidence.
Gyo needs time to adjust to how Arteta uses strikers, right now nothing is working for him, I think Jesus and Havertz are more suited to the Arsenal play currently. Gyo’s hold up play and first touch aren’t always good and we ain’t playing to his strengths hence why I think a system twerk is needed to play to his strengths.
Is Arteta willing to do that!? Can Odegaard play the ball quicker through the middle which I know he is capable of rather than the slow sideways, back passing!
And again our wingers are so engrossed to cutting in and shooting and often not creating enough to our no 9. Mostly I notice the only times crosses are into the six yard is by way of Freekicks!
We seems to forget all what people have been saying in the past about Jesus. They slacked him then, claiming he is not the required striker Arsenal needs, that he doesn’t score enough goals, though his work ethics is good. Now, it’s the same Jesus that they think is a better goal scorer than Gyokeres that has not completed half the season even coming off from a one month injury lay off. Whatever that is happening now at Arsenal is basically down to Arteta style of play.
Didn’t we move Havertz to striker because Jesus was not reliable or productive?
So Gyokeres deemed “not good enough” before half the season is done? And the solution mentioned is Jesus?
The same who has underperformed, and admitted “I’m not a scorer?” The same who fluffed chances and was replaced by Havertz?
We went in for Gyokeres because we needed a finisher at striker, not Jesus retread again.
Gyokeres has different skill set than Jesus, and it takes time for both him and Arteta to adjust. Let’s see at the end of the season.
Right, they’re very different players, suitable for different tactics.
A major thing those of us who were worried about with Gyokeres’s fit for Arsenal, when talk was of buying him, was his tendency is to take several touches to line up for a shot. This is obviously easier to get away with in the Liga Portugal than the EPL, but we hoped could be coached out of him.
His numbers however are bearing out that concern. He is losing almost half his 1v1 duels in the box – compared to Havertz, Jesus and Trossard, who only lose about a quarter. This makes it risky to rely on him, as we get less shots away from him and he is turned over more easily.
Related to this control issue, and more specifically regarding his finishing, one thing that Gyokeres has been doing (and did all the time at Sporting) that isn’t mentioned above is his tendency to go *wide* and then try to beat a defender in the box, rather than play a traditional center forward role and stay central for wide players to pass to, or even just arrive in the box consistently to be passed to in the 9 position for tap-ins. People often observe that we’re not giving him enough service from the wings, but it’s also partly on him not being in the right position for that enough. And even if he is, can he be trusted not to lose the ball? All that needs improving.
We bought Gyokeres for a reason, to score goals. Jesus suits the way we play but will never be a prolific goal scorer. We need to persist with Gyokeres a little longer but I would not be surprised to see him become an impact player
The system we play is the problem. This guy is a goal machine and we miss him out and give him poor service, just to accommodate inverted wingers. Benzema in his prime would be no better, with this style of play.
And Jesus is not a striker. Ask PEP.
How many strikers has scored 20 Premiership goals under Arteta since his 6 years coaching career? Non! Aubameyang has scored mist of his goals before his midseason arrival. Even Haaland cannot score 17 Premier league goals under Arteta. Drafting Martinelli into right of attack, as was the case of 5-1 demolishion of Man City last season, with a good left footer like Nwaneri in the attacking midfield will help Gyokeres a lot, but Arteta will not do that.
Has everyone forgotten Jesus wenr nearly a year without scoring,missing chance after chance after chance ?
AFC need a goal scoring CF and thats NOT Jesus !!!
Some have.