“I don’t know” — Gabriel Jesus can’t put his finger on ‘hurtful’ goal drought for Arsenal
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has admitted he can’t work out why the goals have dried up under Mikel Arteta following his latest blank in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Southampton.
The Gunners had plenty of chances to put the game beyond Southampton’s reach on Sunday afternoon after breaking the deadlock early on through a thunderous Granit Xhaka strike, but the Saints equalised in the 65th minute to blunt the club’s early title ambitions.
Gabriel Jesus news: Goal-shy form ‘hurting’ forward
- Gabriel Jesus has admitted he doesn’t know why he has lost form in front of goal (click here for full quotes).
- The Brazilian has now failed to score in his last five games for the Gunners in all competitions.
- Jesus is currently underperforming his Premier League xG by 1.33 (five goals scored from 6.33 expected goals).
- Arsenal face PSV next and Sky Bet are offering 7/4 on Jesus to score anytime.
For Jesus, it was another afternoon of final-third frustration, with the Brazilian forward firing his fifth successive blank for the club in all competitions — dating back to the North London derby at the start of the month. But, it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying on Sunday.
The summer recruit had plenty of chances to end his recent barren run, but Gavin Bazunu was equal to his efforts. Jesus attempted four shots on the South Coast, more than any other player, and he has now opened up on his frustration — and bemusement — towards his recent penalty-box struggles.
When quizzed on what’s afflicting his recent form in front of goal, Jesus said: “I don’t know, I really don’t know. If I know I can tell you!
“But the only thing I can do is keep trying, keep fighting, keep improving. Like I said, I am here to score goals, I am here to help the team with the goals. I understand that. Of course, the goals are coming back soon.”
Asked further on what the mood was like in the dressing room following the dropped points against Southampton, Jesus stated: “Everyone was a little bit upset because we know we could win the game.
“We created a lot but we were not finishing good. I put me in that of course. I could have scored one or two – and then we win. It’s hard, it’s difficult, it hurts, but we have to wake up, improve and come back.”
