Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford openly admitted his fear of a particular Arsenal player, expressing hope that Mikel Arteta would leave him on the bench during their encounter. This player, a 26-year-old Brazilian named Gabriel Jesus, had a transformative impact on Arsenal since his move from Manchester City a little over a year ago for a significant £45 million. His entry into the team brought heightened expectations, and his early performances bolstered Arsenal’s status as potential title contenders.
However, Jesus encountered setbacks in the form of severe knee injuries that temporarily sidelined him, disrupting the momentum he had generated. Despite these challenges, he made a triumphant return to the pitch, notably scoring a crucial goal that helped Arsenal secure a victory against Manchester United. Arteta, the Arsenal manager, spoke highly of Jesus, emphasizing the profound influence the Brazilian had on the team during the previous season. He highlighted Jesus’s ability to bring a different energy, belief, threat, and fear to opponents, propelling the team forward.
Arteta emphasized the need to recognize Jesus as a vital player, essential to Arsenal’s success. He believed that Jesus, along with Oleksandr Zinchenko, had significantly elevated the team’s competitive edge and winning mentality, enabling them to challenge powerhouses like Manchester City. Their combined impact transformed Arsenal’s performance, marking a noticeable shift in their capabilities. As Jesus and his younger teammates gained more experience and maturity, they exhibited a promising start to the current season, suggesting they could contend for the title, especially if Jesus remained injury-free throughout the campaign.
