It’s a difficult proposition to always play against someone who has a point to prove, and that’s what players coming up against Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus will have to deal with. The Brazil International returned to the Gunners team and boosted their odds for those who play online roulette, by playing some minutes in the comprehensive victory at Fulham, before playing 45 minutes on Thursday, in the penalty shootout defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.
Jesus was injured in Brazil’s final group game at the World Cup, a shock 1-0 loss to Cameroon back in November, and was ruled out for 3 months. He has painstakingly worked on his rehabilitation at London Colney, Arsenal’s training ground, impressing club staff with his single-minded resolve to return to the pitch. Before his injury at the World Cup, he had gone 11 matches without a goal and was expected to use the mundial to get back his form, but things have not worked out since that time.
In his absence, players like Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli all shared the goalscoring burden, but no one has the same profile that Jesus has in the Arsenal team. His linkup play is excellent, using his vision to create chances for his teammates, but it’s his work off the ball that makes him unique. He is often the first point of call for the high press, constantly harassing opposition defenders
With 11 games left till the end of the season, there’s still so much to win if you check out online casino real money. Arsenal holds a 5-point cushion over Manchester City, but they have some interesting fixtures in the coming weeks that will make or mar their season. First, they play London rivals, Crystal Palace at home on Sunday, safe in the knowledge that if they win, they’d hold an 8-point advantage going into the international weekend over Manchester City, who are playing in the FA Cup this weekend.
After the break, they face Leeds at home, before travelling to Anfield for a game against Champions League-chasing Liverpool. Against Sporting on Thursday, Jesus looked like he tried too hard, wanting to end his goal drought. Score once, and he’d get his confidence, which can help Arsenal in the short term. Jesus just needs to get one goal and it might lead to a flurry of strikes, as Arsenal hopes to lift a first league title since 2004, almost 20 years since Thierry Henry led The Invincibles to an unbeaten campaign, a feat not emulated in the Premier League since then.
After a blistering start to life at the Emirates Stadium, Jesus has had injuries and form issues to deal with, but as he comes in the business end of the season, Mikel Arteta will be delighted. He offers a lot more than goals, but the Spaniard will be hoping the goals will come in, sooner rather than later.