Gabriel Jesus confession makes Arteta's Arsenal decision all the more baffling

01 February 2024 , 17:41

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Gabriel Jesus remains Arsenal's first-choice striker as the January transfer window comes to an end

Gabriel Jesus is a fantastic footballer, that much is undeniable, but he may need some more training when it comes to his interview technique.

Arsenal's No.9 is, if anything, too honest when it comes to discussing his flaws. A few months ago, the Brazil international conceded scoring goals was not his strong suit - something the Emirates faithful didn't love to hear from their first-choice striker - and he has echoed a similar sentiment once again following Tuesday's 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.

Jesus actually opened the scoring in that clash, but was also guilty of some more wasteful finishing. He struck the upright while the scoreline was still 0-0 after being played through by Martin Odegaard and really should have done better.

After the game, the former Manchester City star explained how his past comments regarding his goalscoring ability were misunderstood. Jesus claimed: "Let’s go, come on. If you watch the game, you see me playing…I think when I say a month ago in Brazil about the goals, I meant it in a different way and people took it out of context.

"I said: ‘Listen, it (assisting) is not only my strong area, I can score goals. Come on guys.’ I am close to 100 in the Premier League, that’s not easy! Then in the Champions League I am scoring a lot, in the national team I score.‌

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"Sometimes, like I say, I am not focused on that (scoring goals) and that’s I think my mistake. So now, I think I change my mindset and I will be in the box more - and I try everything to score."

In the eyes of supporters, a new striker is the main thing needed to strengthen the side and though there is no debate over Jesus' technical ability, just four league goals as we enter February is not the tally of a title-winning talisman.

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Gabriel Jesus's finishing has often been called into question (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC)

And yet, the January transfer window has passed Arsenal by with no attacking additions at all. Manager Mikel Arteta made clear fairly early on in the month that a new striker was always unlikely.

Speaking in the aftermath of FA Cup elimination at the hands of Liverpool on January 7, the Arsenal boss told beIN Sports: "At the moment it does not look realistic. What my job is, and what we have to do is improve our players and try to get better results with the players we have."

Some may argue Arteta has been hamstrung by a lack of options on the market, while others will argue he should have spent heavily on someone like Brentford striker Ivan Toney. The fact is Arsenal will end the month with largely the same squad they started it with.

Josh O'Brien