Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has played a major role in propelling the Gunners to the top of the table, according to Stuart Pearce.

The former Manchester City player and manager says that the Citizens’ decision to sell the Brazilian international for just £45m was a surprise, and it has helped Arsenal leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side in the table:

“The big piece of business which has probably catapulted them to being top of the tree at the moment from maybe third or fourth is (Gabriel) Jesus. He’s given them energy, he’s given them goals, he’s given them everything up front. He’s given them a focal point up there, and there’s a lot of talk and hot air about Mane leaving Liverpool and the effect that’s had.”

“There would be the same conversations about Jesus potentially if it wasn’t for Haaland. The only team to be above Manchester City at this moment in time is Arsenal, and the only reason they’re there is because Manchester City have sold them Jesus at a really good price for his age. I thought that bit of business, £45m for a 25-year-old is incredible.”

It should be pointed out that Jesus had less than a year left on his contract at the Etihad so paying £45m was still a rather sizeable fee for a player in his situation.

Considering how impressive he has been in the opening months of the season, though, it’s fair to say that Arsenal supporters would have been happy for the club to pay even more for the 25-year-old.

As Pearce mentions, Jesus leads the line superbly, and it’s hard to imagine that the Gunners would have had such a good start to the campaign without him.