Alan Shearer has voiced his criticism of Arsenal’s £45 million star, Gabriel Jesus, pointing out consistent underperformance in his finishing. In a recent match against Tottenham, Jesus missed a crucial chance to secure victory, with Shearer emphasizing the technical flaws in his attempt.
Shearer, writing for The Athletic, dissected the moment when Jesus failed to capitalize on an opportunity to extend Arsenal’s lead. Despite adeptly intercepting the ball from James Maddison, Jesus skewed his shot over the bar. Shearer attributed this to flawed technique, highlighting a recurrent issue with Jesus’s finishing abilities, as he tends to miss the mark compared to expected goals (xG).
Despite being a significant signing for Arsenal, Jesus has struggled to score goals consistently, prompting Shearer to question his efficacy in front of the net. Shearer acknowledged Jesus’s talent and potential, given his impact on the team since joining. However, he urged Arsenal to demand more ruthlessness from their star striker, especially considering their aspirations to excel in all areas.
In hindsight, had Jesus not suffered injuries that sidelined him for a significant portion of the previous season, Arsenal’s performance might have taken a different trajectory. Nevertheless, Shearer maintained that holding Jesus to a higher standard in terms of goal-scoring is crucial for Arsenal’s success. Given the team’s pursuit of perfection in every aspect, acquiring an additional striker might become a priority in future transfer windows.
