{"id":1333773,"date":"2023-12-05T22:37:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T22:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1333773"},"modified":"2023-12-05T22:56:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T22:56:05","slug":"gabriel-jesus-arsenal-luton-more-than-just-goals","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-luton-more-than-just-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"Gabriel Jesus proves he is about more than just goals in dramatic Arsenal win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gabriel Jesus proved that he is about much more than goals as Arsenal fought to a 4-3 win over Luton on Tuesday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Brazilian was brought in by Mikel Arteta last summer to lead the line for Arsenal and he hit the ground running, scoring five goals in his first eight league appearances. <\/p>\n

There was then a brief drought before injury, but Jesus returned in fine form too, scoring six goals in his final 10 league games as Arsenal just missed out on the title. Nonetheless, he was dubbed as not the goalscorer Arsenal needed, likened to the Erling Haaland signing at Manchester City.<\/p>\n

This season in the Premier League, Jesus’ lack of goals has come under the microscope again with just one strike in his opening nine league games. He has once again suffered with injuries and only slowly made his way into the game, also being shifted across the front line.<\/p>\n\n

The criticism also came despite the fact that Jesus has been the go-to man for goals in the Champions League, netting in all four of his appearances in the competition this season. Jesus himself wasn’t fazed by the talk, saying last month that goals were not his strong point, helping the team more in other areas.<\/p>\n

“There are things that I can\u2019t control. I train, I look for, I try, I move, I help the team,” he said. <\/p>\n

“I believe that goals are not my strong point, but I score goals, I\u2019m there to score goals. I did so much in the national team. When I score goals again, it\u2019s going to happen. It\u2019s work. I work quietly, I\u2019m not one to respond to criticism, I\u2019m not one to be happy with praise. I was, I won\u2019t be anymore.”<\/p>\n

And against Luton he proved that he is crucial to Arsenal in ways other than just scoring.<\/p>\n

Three of Arsenal’s four goals against Luton involved Jesus at some stage including, of course, his header. That’s the easiest contribution to pick out, nodding in after Ben White’s wonderful work down the right to make it 2-1 to Arsenal at half-time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jesus also set up the third, with a neat pass into Kai Havertz with Arsenal trailing at the time. But perhaps the best input came in a goal he will not be directly involved in, at least on the official stats.<\/p>\n

Luton had started the game well and were pushing Arenal, having a few chances. But they were undone by their own work. A heavy backpass to Thomas Kaminski forced the goalkeeper to kick the ball into touch, giving Arsenal a throw in by the corner flag. While some teams may have taken their time, looking to bring the big defenders up to attack the box, Jesus thought quickly.<\/p>\n

Jesus took a quick throw-in to Bukayo Saka, catching the Luton defence off guard, allowing the Englishman to set up Gabriel Martinelli for the opener. It means Saka has scored or assisted against all 25 teams he has faced in the Premier League, one of just two players to have a perfect record with more than two opponents faced (Harry Kane 32\/32).<\/p>\n

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Bukayo Saka has scored or assisted against 25\/25 teams he\u2019s faced in the Premier League:<\/p>\n

\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f Man Utd
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f Southampton
\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f Everton
\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f Brentford
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f Chelsea
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f?\ufe0f Spurs
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f Wolves
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f Aston Villa
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f Crystal Palace
\u26bd\ufe0f\u26bd\ufe0f?\ufe0f Newcastle\u2026<\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) December 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n