“I think they’ve got a big problem“ - Gabriel Agbonlahor calls out struggling Arsenal star to ‘step up’
Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged Gabriel Jesus to step up and deliver for Arsenal. He believes the Brazilian should be doing more for the club and take his chance in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor expressed his surprise at the forward not scoring or assisting in his last 10 appearances for the Gunners. He wants the former Manchester City star to get back to his best and do more for the Gunners when they need him: He said:
"I think they've got a big problem with Gabriel Jesus. His form, he hasn't scored or assisted in 10 appearances this season. When he first signed, he got 11 goals and seven assists (all competitions) in his first season in 2022-23. Last season, in 36 games he got eight goals and eight assists (all competitions), which isn't bad."
He added:
"But this season, zero goals and zero assists. You know, when players are injured and not available, they're starting (Raheem) Sterling in front of him and started other players in front of him.
(Against Shakhtar Donetsk), he wasn't great again, taken off for Sterling before 70 minutes. They need Gabriel Jesus up to form, especially with your little injuries to Odegaard and to Saka, he needs to step up."
Gabriel Jesus has played 10 times for Arsenal this season – 321 minutes across competitions. He hasn't scored or assisted in any of those games and is struggling to get into the team ahead of Kai Havertz.
Ian Wright wants Arsenal fans to support Gabriel Jesus
Ian Wright, on his Wrighty's House podcast, spoke about Gabriel Jesus. He urged the Gooners in the stadium to support the Brazilian forward as he needs them to back him as he struggles for form.
Wright said:
"Arsenal are at a certain level now but we will definitely need him at some stage so I think it's important in this moment for the Arsenal fans to support him. They have to get behind him. Don't be frustrated with the way he's playing. He's trying so hard at the moment and we're going to need him.
"We need to make sure we give him confidence because he's won this (the Premier League) four times. He's been clutch in many situations before. Listening to the murmurings and the way the fans are. … please, man, back this guy, stay with him. He wants to do so well and it's just not happening right now but he needs support, he really, really does."
Arsenal are up against Liverpool this weekend and are sweating about Bukayo Saka's fitness. Jesus could be in line to start if the Englishman failed to recover from his leg issue that he picked up earlier this month on international duty.