Ex-Arsenal forward Kevin Campbell says Gabriel Jesus could be the man to help the Gunners “usurp” Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
The Brazilian only scored 11 Premier League goals last season but Campbell feels that, if the striker can stay fit, he could spearhead the club’s title challenge:
“He got double figures last season and he was out for three months. If he can get five, 10 goals in those three months in comparison, he’s probably be near 18, 20 goals. That’s what we need.”
“We need somebody who’s going to be top goalscorer as our main guy if we’re going to usurp Man City. He’s got that unknown factor that he can produce.”
Jesus is undoubtedly a very talented player and, if he can stay injury-free for the rest of the season, then it will give Mikel Arteta’s men a much greater chance of pushing City all the way. There are, however, concerns about the 26-year-old’s fitness record.
A chequered injury history
Throughout his time in English football, Jesus has had issues staying fit for a whole campaign. Since arriving from Palmeiras, there has only been one season (21/22) where he has remained free of injury.
Just a month after arriving in England back in 2017, he sustained a metatarsal injury that kept him out for two months.
During 2017/18, Jesus damaged his knee ligaments, before picking up groin and hamstring problems, as well as other knocks in subsequent campaigns. In total, the forward has missed 75 games for club and country over the past six and a half years.
Jesus does offer Arsenal something different
As Campbell points out, the Brazilian international’s unpredictability and his ability to make things happen out of nothing does give him the edge over Arsenal’s other forwards.
While the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard are top players in their own right, Jesus provides that extra spark that could help the Gunners win the title.
