According to Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Jesus has changed Arsenal’s “dynamic” and helped instill belief in the team..
Jesus is back in shape after a lengthy injury layoff that has kept him out since the World Cup. The Brazilian striker suffered a serious knee injury during the World Cup, but he came off the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Sunday.
Arsenal signed Jesus from Manchester City in the summer for £45 million, and he was their first-choice striker for the first half of the season. Arteta praised the 25-year-impact old’s on the squad ahead of the match against Fulham.
“Huge,” Arteta told Sky Sports. His presence, what he transmits to the team, his previous experience in these types of games… He’s an important player for us.
“He has changed our dynamic, he has changed our belief, he has elevated the team, so it is great to have him back.”
When Jesus came off the bench in the 75th minute against Fulham, the Arsenal away fans erupted. And he nearly scored on his return to the team, but his shot was blocked by a Fulham defender after being played in by Fabio Vieira..
This season, he has five goals and seven assists in 21 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions. Eddie Nketiah led the line in his absence in the New Year, but he lost form before injuring himself.
Leandro Trossard, signed in January, has given Arsenal another attacking option, while Gabriel Martinelli has demonstrated his ability to play centrally rather than on the left. However, Jesus’ return will undoubtedly boost Arsenal’s chances of winning their first Premier League title in 19 years.
“We lost Eddie as well, so having Gabi back is much more important,” Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka said on Thursday night. “Leo is also injured but can play in this position.
Step by step, I hope Gabi will be 100 percent fit to assist this team because we know he can. He is extremely important to us because of his attitude and personality.
Arteta has frequently mentioned the team spirit in his squad, which he believes will help them in the run-in. Arsenal defeated Bournemouth 3-2 last weekend, thanks to a dramatic late winner from Reiss Nelson.
“The energy and chemistry generated in the stadium was incredible,” Arteta said. “It gives you that lift right until the last moment you are able to win games and you need that trust, I believe in the team that it is going to happen..
Every game is unique, and the margins are razor thin. We should have won the games by larger margins, especially with the way we’ve been playing, so we need to improve on that.”
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