Arsenal have won all three of their opening Premier League games as Mikel Arteta’s men are off to a flying start. The Gunners brushed aside Bournemouth 3-0 in their last outing as a brace from Martin Odegaard and a wonderful strike from William Saliba saw them bag three points for a third consecutive time. However, new recruit Gabriel Jesus was once again a catalyst despite failing to get on the score-sheet.
Former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker has lavished praise on Arsenal’s £45 million summer signing after his displaying of stellar performances continued since the start of the season. The Brazilian has seemingly completed Mikel Arteta’s team as it was missing a powerful no.9 since Aubameyang left in January. Jesus was Arsenal’s top priority after failing to land Dusan Vlahovic earlier this year, and they are now reaping rewards.
Lineker lauds Jesus claiming he ‘morphed into Messi’
Gabriel Jesus was once again on target against Bournemouth, delivering a robust performance. He assisted Martin Odegaard’s second goal after calmly controlling the ball from a Ben White cut-back in the Bournemouth box. Mikel Arteta would have been delighted watching from the sidelines his marquee signing massively involved in playmaking apart from goalscoring.
Add to it, Lineker quickly described Jesus’ display against the Cherries as ‘Messisque’ hailing the creative side of his game. The former England international took it to Twitter as he wrote: “A goal for Odergaard but all the work was done by Jesus, who appears to have morphed into Messi.”
A goal for Odergaard but all the work was done by Jesus, who appears to have morphed into Messi.
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) August 20, 2022
That’s certainly an overwhelming comparison from the player-turned-pundit, but Jesus deserved the praise given his workrate and commitment. The 25-year-old further created 2 chances, completed 2 take-ons, won 6 ground duels, 3 aerial duels and 2 tackles to add to his assist. Jesus has now racked up 5 goal contributions [2 goals, 3 assists] in just three league outings for his new side.
He has turned the tide for the North Londoners who found it hard to cope without an experienced striker in the last stages of the 21/22 season, ultimately losing their Champions League berth. But Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar, along with Arteta worked relentlessly to carve out a successful summer market which included the signings of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and teenaged winger Marquinhos along with the former Manchester City striker.
They are now enjoying their possibly best start to the season in over a decade, winning the first three league games of the season for the first time since 2003/04. Arteta will now look to build on this confidence, also underlining that they are not done yet in the market. Arsenal next face Fulham on August 27 at home, looking to collect a fourth consecutive win while sitting atop of the table.