Graham Potter saw first-hand, as his Chelsea side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal back in November 2022, the good and the bad of a striker linked with a stunning move to West Ham United this week.
Missed chances aplenty, but a work-rate, a determination and a formidable high-press Mikel Arteta – in the victorious opposition dugout – described as ‘phenomenal’.
West Ham are said to be eyeing Gabriel Jesus ahead of the January transfer window. And the Brazil international’s performance during that narrow victory at Stamford Bridge nearly three years ago perfectly sums up the obvious pros and the unavoidable cons the Arsenal number nine brings to the table.
Then again, the fact that the clocks must be turned back to November 2022 to discuss Jesus’s finest spell in Arsenal red says a lot about the injury-imposed fall-off which has sparked his devolution from Gunners talisman to the forgotten man of the Emirates Stadium.
West Ham United have been here before, of course. High-profile, high-earning players arriving in East London well past their peak. Whether Gabriel Jesus becomes the latest, well that depends on what version Graham Potter would be getting.
The Jesus who struck fear into the heart of his Chelsea backline with a formidable-if-wasteful display? Or the one who has scored only seven league goals since the start of 2023/24?
West Ham United-linked Gabriel Jesus inspired Arsenal win over Graham Potter’s Chelsea
If one moment summed up Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal career, it arrived in the first half of that 1-0 victory at Graham Potter’s Chelsea.
The £45 million signing from Manchester City hounded Ruben Loftus-Cheek and won back possession inside the home team’s half. He then drove towards the box, leaving three Chelsea defenders sprawling. But while ignoring his better-placed teammates, Jesus went on his own and slammed his shot into the nearest centre-back.
This was one of two occasions when Jesus caught a Chelsea player dallying in possession with his ferocious work-rate. But also one of three occasions in which he either picked the wrong option, or failed to provide the requisite end-product.
“What he did today was just phenomenal,” Arteta said at full-time, defending his misfiring forward while highlighting the importance of his defend-from-the-front approach.
“[My attackers] have a real willingness to do [press]. They are capable physically now to do it and maintain it because they have been matured. The difference is demanding them to do something and then them feeling how important and beneficial it is for themselves.”
Brazil star Gabriel Jesus could give West Ham a ‘spark’
According to Football Transfers, West Ham may take a punt on Gabriel Jesus – and vice versa – as the 27-year-old looks to breathe fresh life into his World Cup hopes.
A short-term loan deal, with Arsenal responsible for a hefty fraction of his weekly wages, and the potential rewards may outweigh the risks for a Hammers team crying out for a turn of pace and an explosion of intensity from the number nine role.
“We now have a new confidence, a spark, and that winning mentality that he has,” Arteta said after Jesus’ off-the-ball work inspired another victory over AFC Bournemouth early in his Arsenal career.
“He competes for every ball and transmits his energy and his quality to the rest of the team. He didn’t score but again he was involved in all the goals. He had a goal disallowed unfortunately, but he was in every action.”
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