Paul Merson believes the return of Gabriel Jesus will present a selection problem for Mikel Arteta because the Brazilian did not join Arsenal to sit on the bench.
The former Manchester City man was the leading attacker at the club before the World Cup but was injured in the competition and has been sidelined since then.
He just returned to fitness and entered the game against Fulham in the second half, a sight that delighted most Arsenal fans.
After the game, Arteta maintained that Jesus would have to fight for his place on the team, suggesting it would not be straightforward for the Brazilian to earn his spot back.
However, Merson believes Jesus will not want to spend time on the bench because he left City for the Emirates to play.
He tells Sky Sports:
Gabriel Jesus coming back is a bit of a problem for Arsenal because the lad will want to play – he didn’t sign to be a bit-part player like he was at Man City.
‘It will cause problems in time but at the moment it’s like another signing.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Jesus remains one of our best players; understandably, he will want to play as many games as possible.
However, the team coped well in his absence and the Brazilian must be prepared to fight to earn his spot back.
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He should fight for his spot like everyone else. I admire pep and the way he is able to rotate players and keep squad harmony and players firing on all cylinders usually. We have two winnable tournaments. Let Jesus, Nelson, ESR and Viera show their worth in the europa. If someone does something special then maybe we can consider giving Saka a rest but for now as things are it is fine don’t change
Merson is seeing a problem that does not exist.
Merse means well but he is not a man whose intellect one can much respect, sadly!
Paul Merson was spot on with his prediction against Fulham and I would much rather to have his take on the massive game with Crystal Palace as opposed to Jesus pending unhappiness.
It is said if you search you shall find, no need searching for a problem,
Jesus is like a new signing, if I may borrow a term from the legendary Frenchman.
Tossard in my opinion plays like a Brazilian, with the same work ethic and technical short space control, the thought of Jesus and Tossard playing together could be a huge Trump card up the gaffer sleeve.
But first Tossard has to start in the derby on Sunday, Jesus should continue his timely reintroduction on Thursday against Sporting.
But if Jesus returned is a problem then it would have to be seen as a positive problem.
“Tossard in my opinion plays like a Brazilian, with the same work ethic and technical short space control”
Makes me think he is what we were expecting from willian – fairly similar players now that I think about it.
DAVI Oh Really??! One has great heart,great skill and tries his hardest . The other had no character, could not be bothered totry and though he had skill,it was completly wasted, as all lazy players waste their skill.
To me, that spells out, they are as dissimilar as they come and NOT IN ANY WAY AT ALL, “SIMILAR”!
The most important thing will be for Arsenal to be in as many of the cup competitions as possible this will allow a lot of players to be rotated even if not starting but certainly as substitutes as indicated with 17 substitutes over the last 5 games.
Secondly winning definitively and earlier will be key to bring in more players and playing more minutes.
Jesus will be reintroduced and will likely be the number one preferred striker, even though he has been injured for that long he is still in the top 11 players with most minutes this season with 15 starts more than Nketiah who falls just below him.
The other reason I believe he will start soon as he reaches his fitness is his goal ratio of .053 per 90 compared to Nketiah’s 0.44 per 90 and Trossard’s 0.25 per 90.
The experience he also brings in more in title races from City plus UEFA Champions league experience in crunch latter stages will still make him favorite to be picked.
Lastly his relationship with Arteta brings understanding for both sides. Which enables a coach to adapt tactics and discuss swiftly.
Gabriel Jesus will return to the starting eleven or be eased back as a substitute, because of his importance to the start Arsenal made prior to his injury. Given that Trossard can play across the front three, Arteta doesn’t have a selection problem, because he now has more players to rotate, as players, like Jesus, Nelson and ESR, return from injury. A main benefit will be the opportunity to give Saka a rest to “recharge his batteries”.
4-2-3-1 Ramsdale
White Sailba Gabriel Zincheko
Odgaard Partey (or Xhaka)
Saka Trossard Martinelli
Jesus
Probem solved
Rather problem created.
Playing Odegaard as a DM? Lmaoo