Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli were both on target in Arsenal’s big win over Crystal Palace
We may never know what Mikel Arteta has asked for this Christmas. But Gabriel Jesus’ return to form has been a welcome – if unexpected – early present for the Arsenal boss.
The Brazilian striker’s first Premier League goal since January came in the ninth minute of Saturday evening’s fixture at Crystal Palace. His next took just eight minutes to arrive, rather than 11 months.
It’s now five goals in a week for the former Manchester City man (all coming against the Eagles) and takes the heat off some of his team-mates, who had gone three league matches without scoring from open play prior to their trip down to south London.
But if we’re being blunt, this is no prelude to a Christmas miracle: as good a player as Jesus is, history has shown us that the 27-year-old is not the man to plunder the goals Arsenal will require to end their 20-plus year title drought come May.
That’s not to understate the significance of his contributions this week. His treble in midweek means Arsenal are still in with a chance of landing the first trophy of the season, and with people starting to ask questions about Arteta’s trophy haul after five years at the helm, that could prove invaluable.
And in terms of the big prize – the Premier League title – a win away at Palace is never something to be scoffed at and puts pressure on Liverpool ahead of their big away trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
But even after watching them put five past Crystal Palace, it still feels like Arsenal lack the firepower to outlast their title rivals over the course of a season. And while January may not seem like the optimum opportunity to try and amend such an issue, the fact that the all-conquering Manchester City side that has bested them in seasons past seem to be in terminal decline must surely give Arteta and Arsenal’s powerbrokers food for thought.
Liverpool under Arne Slot look like the real deal, but if you were a betting man, you’d say it’s probably unlikely they can keep their current momentum rolling for the entire season – and that’s where the door could open for the Gunners.
Jesus scored his first and second league goals of the season against Palace but should have had more (
David Price/Arsenal FC)
It would be all too easy for Arsenal to stick rather than twist. After all, they still seem the most likely to battle it out with the title for Liverpool either way with City in crisis. And their performance as a whole against Palace shows they are well and truly out of the funk that threatened to derail their title bid a few weeks ago.
But Kai Havertz is their top scorer in the Premier League with six goals. And you wouldn’t feel safe backing the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, who bagged Arsenal’s fourth, to chip in consistently based on recent form.
Jesus’ return to form is still good news. But the chance he missed just prior to Martinelli’s goal, free in the six-yard box with just the keeper to beat, underlines why he still isn’t the solution to Arsenal’s biggest problem.
A good Christmas for Arsenal and Arteta will keep them in the mix for a first Premier League crown since 2003-04.