Arsenal verdict: Gabriel Jesus exactly what the Gunners needed to unlock the Emirates crowd and spark trophy challenge
THERE is something special brewing at the Emirates.
That’s now FIVE wins in a row to start the new season and a two point cushion at the top of the Premier League.
But, again, they did their best to make it difficult for themselves.
Somehow going into the break only a goal up, Douglas Luiz scored directly from a corner with 16 minutes to play after Gabriel Jesus‘ opener.
Gabriel Martinelli popped up at the back post just three minutes later to put Arsenal back in front, and perhaps the Gunners can thank the crowd for that.
When Luiz’s goal went in, heads did not drop.
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Aaaron Ramsdale spoke in the week of trying to build the Emirates into a fortress, and tonight it felt, and sounded like one.
Even the loud booing of former backup goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and intimidating cries of “Aaron Ramsdale, he’s better than you”, felt a tad uncharacteristic.
And the chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” to under-fire Villa boss Steven Gerrard were delivered with particular glee.
It wasn’t as electric on the pitch as it was in the stands, but there were occasional sparks of magic from the Gunners.
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While Jesus wasn’t brilliant, he did what clinical strikers do – pop up in the right place at the right time to score.
Exactly what the Gunners were missing last season.
Even if he didn’t influence the game all that much, the goals are all that matter.
The signing of Jesus was exactly what Mikel Arteta needed to unlock the crowd at the Emirates.
A hungry young striker who just wants to score goals, and when he does the crowd respond.
The atmosphere under the lights at the Emirates on this Wednesday night was especially electric, and Jesus can be partly thanked for that.
You can tell there is confidence flowing through his veins by the way he tries things in a game that others wouldn’t, much like his skipper Martin Odegaard.
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There were huge fist bumps from Jesus at full time and while the season is just six games old, it is evident he is a winner, as his time at Manchester City proved.
Could he be the man that ensures the chants of “We are top of the league” are not just tongue in cheek early season fun?