Mikel Arteta told Arsenal player is causing 'concern'

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was told that Gabriel Jesus’ form is “concerning”.

With a third of the season played, Arsenal sit at the summit of the Premier League table, two points clear of Manchester City.

While much has been made of the Gunners’ forward line this term, former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre had admitted he's 'concerned' about Brazil international Jesus' form in front of goal.

After a relentless start for Arsenal, in which he netted five goals in eight games, Jesus is now enduring a nine-match goal drought.

Trying too hard

Despite his struggles in front of goal, Arteta has praised Jesus’ tenacity and ability to knit together attacking moves.

However, Silvestre criticised the 25-year-old’s first touch and decision-making, while he insisted the Brazilian may be trying too hard.

The former France international told bettingexpert: "Gabriel Jesus [is a concern]. Not a weak link but a bit of a concern for his goalscoring consistency.

“Because he is giving a lot to the team and sometimes, the final touch is not accurate, he is not making the right choice. Or he would force it.

"He is the only one, but he is just dipping in form at the moment. But thank god for them, they are creating chances, and you have other goalscorers.

“The strength of the team is going forward, and scoring goals is not only on Jesus. Apart from that, I don't see any weak parts."

Arsenal’s top four

Silvestre hailed William Saliba, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli as Arsenal's best players this term, but reserved special praise for the latter.

The 45-year-old said: "For me, it is between Saliba, Martinelli and Xhaka [as Arsenal's best player this season]. It is between those three. And even Odegaard. He has got the armband, so it's just standard for him that he needs to be up there in terms of performances.

"That is why it is hard to pick because it shows how good they are individually. That is why they are at the top of the league.

“I would go for Martinelli [as the standalone performer] because he has been creating, he has been scoring, and he is making all of the right-backs suffer."

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Jesus, Premier League, Gabriel Martinelli

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.