Paul Merson has claimed Gabriel Jesus’ long-awaited return will ’cause problems’ for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
Jesus enjoyed an impressive first-half to the season following a £50m move from Manchester City last summer.
The 25-year-old’s progress was halted by a knee injury he sustained during Brazil’s World Cup campaign, with Jesus missing Arsenal’s next 15 games after the Qatar tournament.
Jesus marked his return from the treatment room by coming on as a second-half substitute in Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League victory at Fulham.
Merson says Arsenal’s first-half performance at Craven Cottage was ‘mind-blowing’ but has warned the Gunners that Jesus’ return comes with its own issues.
‘Arsenal’s performance in the first half at Fulham was mind-blowing,’ the ex-Arsenal and England winger told Sky Sports.
‘It was like watching Man City in their pomp and this was against a good Fulham team. It was scary. It was bordering on ridiculous.
‘It felt like they had at least two more players on the pitch but the thing that will win Arsenal the league is starting matches well.
‘I watched them at Leicester when they were under pressure for a result and they started well and were great.
‘Then they were at home against Bournemouth and start poorly. Against Fulham they start well and it’s a walk in the park. I don’t see how they’re going to be stopped if they start well in matches.
‘Gabriel Jesus coming back is a bit of a problem for Arsenal because the lad will want to play – he didn’t sign to be a bit-part player like he was at Man City.
‘It will cause problems in time but at the moment it’s like another signing.’
Merson also heaped praise on Arsenal January signing Leandro Trossard, who has provided five assists in nine Premier League appearances for the Gunners following his move from Brighton.
‘Leandro Trossard could play for Man City,’ Merson added. ‘It’s an unbelievable signing for £27m.
‘When his agent said to him he was going to Arsenal for that fee he must have thought, “Is that all I’m worth?!”
‘The lad could go in the Man City team on Tuesday and you wouldn’t know any different, he’s that good.
‘But Arsenal play like Man City, if you put them in a light blue kit you would think they are. You don’t get bigger compliments than that.’
Padoma1010
0
talking absolutely rubbish....Arsenal play like Man City, trossard will get into that man City team after playing just Nine matches. English pundits are just useless.
But he is better than Rashford and believe me as a Man U you will believe that Rashford can play in Man City
Fokckpuz
0
Arteta will handle the Jesus issue very well. That's his job. Why are you wearing his shoes?
Fokckpuz
0
let bench martinelli small trossard is very important and good from that wing but martinelli can not finish what trossard can do let 19 him feed 9 gunners for life
Trossard and Martinelli are inseparable.
Mikky101
0
I love ur comment
thanks bro 👍
moacinrsu
0
I see no problem at all, only winnings
I love ur comment
tuabcmnory
1
Jesus is not course a problem pls try to understand.
vuecmnorz
0
let bench martinelli small trossard is very important and good from that wing but martinelli can not finish what trossard can do let 19 him feed 9 gunners for life
Are you really listening to yourself please or you want to segregate Martinelli
veadmos
1
let bench martinelli small trossard is very important and good from that wing but martinelli can not finish what trossard can do let 19 him feed 9 gunners for life
maoablnr
0
..true.. let GJ charge on the bench until any of the boys starts to faulter
tewbclmouz
1
talking absolutely rubbish....Arsenal play like Man City, trossard will get into that man City team after playing just Nine matches. English pundits are just useless.
Akorede41
1
Definitely it's going to b a selection problem for Arteta. Paul knows what he is saying. Everybody is fit and want to play for the badge, that's when the selection problem comes for the manager.
Arteta is smarter than you think he is
badklnry
0
Rashford big boy,
Nosknpuy
0
Exactly the type of energy we don't need right now 🤐
Richforever17
1
He’s not lying but GJ need to understand there’s need for competition and with that the team will only grow,take martinelli for example now he want to improve so he doesn’t sit on the bench and with that team can only grow because everyone’s hungry
tupcekostz
2
PM stop talking crap. [Crylaugh]
witbiklmy
5
I know paul is thinking like me he want trossard to play ahead of jesus
Pidekmnpuz
0
100% paul
MJR1129
2
yeah honestly he has a point
Shegoluv
2
Definitely it's going to b a selection problem for Arteta. Paul knows what he is saying. Everybody is fit and want to play for the badge, that's when the selection problem comes for the manager.
manilosy
1
shut up Paul
Mikky101
4
I see no problem at all, only winnings
Vapdikrsz
1
talkative
Lazaciklry
1
maybe he think Gabriel Jesus is a flop like rashford 😂😂
Lazaciklry
3
Why would it be a problem some people are just saying norsense
joobcikmns
2
nonsense