Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira strongly criticized Arsenal’s £60M player after a disappointing match against Aston Villa, citing the player’s lack of pace and sluggishness as a liability. The critique continued with former footballer Steve Nicol on ESPN, who expressed dissatisfaction with Gabriel Jesus’s subdued performance during the match where Villa secured a crucial win.
Despite Arsenal’s commendable overall performance, their inability to convert opportunities into goals left them disappointed, especially with Villa’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez remaining largely untested. Gabriel Jesus, who had previously showcased an outstanding performance against Luton, struggled to make a significant impact at Villa Park.
Steve Nicol highlighted the pressing need for a dynamic center forward in Arsenal’s lineup, emphasizing that winning the Premier League requires a complete team effort. He criticized Jesus for his lack of involvement, asserting that such contributions are essential, especially when facing a resilient defense.
Jesus’s scoring rate of just two goals in 11 top-flight games raised concerns about his ability to meet Arsenal’s ambitions for the league title. As the team heavily relies on attacking players, doubts lingered about whether Jesus possesses the goal-scoring prowess necessary for a successful campaign under manager Mikel Arteta.
Acknowledging Jesus’s past contributions and world-class quality, questions arose about his ability to deliver the necessary goals amid struggles from other attacking players like Martinelli and Odegaard. With pressure mounting, the central question became whether Jesus could provide the goals essential to securing Arsenal’s title ambitions.
