Gabriel Jesus could face familiar problem at Arsenal following Mikel Arteta warning
The appearance of Gabriel Jesus in the 77th minute of Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday was a pleasant surprise for Arsenal fans.
However, this was after Arsenal had already secured the win with a strong first-half performance that overwhelmed their struggling opponents.
Interestingly, Jesus being on the bench turned out to be unnecessary for Mikel Arteta, as Arsenal had coped well without their high-profile summer signing.
Jesus had to undergo surgery after sustaining a knee injury while playing for Brazil in the World Cup. Arsenal’s ability to perform without Jesus has exceeded expectations.
Despite Gabriel Jesus being on the sidelines, Arsenal performed exceptionally well without a traditional number nine. Leandro Trossard was initially signed as a backup to Arsenal’s preferred attacking trio, but after his outstanding performance against Fulham, it may be difficult for Arteta to overlook the versatile Belgian forward.
Although Trossard has only been an Arsenal player for a short period, his ability to find gaps in the opposition defense has already become a defining feature of his play. He demonstrated this brilliantly on Sunday, contributing three assists to help Arsenal secure another crucial win in their title chase.
Trossard was given a standing ovation by the ecstatic away fans when he was substituted for Jesus in the last 15 minutes of the game. However, Jesus may not necessarily replace Trossard in the starting lineup in the upcoming matches, as it is not a foregone conclusion.
The current form of Arsenal’s front three makes it challenging for Arteta to find a place for Gabriel Jesus in the starting lineup. Arteta acknowledged this fact in his post-match press conference, indicating that Jesus must earn his place in the team like everyone else.
While Arteta stated that such competition is a good problem to have, it has the potential to become a more significant issue in the future. Logically, Leandro Trossard would be the one left out, given how consistently impressive Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been this season.
However, after Trossard’s electrifying performance on Sunday, it seems his position in the team is secured for the foreseeable future.
If Trossard maintains the level of performance he displayed against Fulham, Gabriel Jesus could face a similar challenge to the one he faced under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Jesus often found himself playing second fiddle to a midfielder or winger who was preferred to play as a false striker.
If Trossard continues to impress, Arteta may opt to use him in a similar role, which could limit Jesus’ playing time in the starting lineup. However, this competition for a starting spot could ultimately lead to a stronger Arsenal team as players push each other to perform at their best.
If Arteta decides to adopt a false nine system, then Gabriel Jesus could find himself in a familiar situation in the upcoming weeks. He may feel a sense of deja vu as he previously experienced a similar position at Manchester City.
Jesus was seen as the missing piece in the Arsenal puzzle when he joined the club in the summer. However, his guaranteed place in the starting lineup is no longer a certainty. While he will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in Arsenal’s title run-in and long-term plans, it is no longer a given that he will slot straight back into the team.
This scenario would have been unthinkable a few months ago, even after the signing of Trossard. But suddenly, it no longer seems out of the realm of possibility. Nonetheless, the competition for places can only be positive for the Gunners as they strive to improve and succeed.
Gabriel Jesus could face familiar problem at Arsenal following Mikel Arteta warning