Arsenal legend Thierry Henry ‘hopes’ Gabriel Jesus can prove
him wrong and become a 25 goal-per-season striker after previously giving a bleak
prediction over his output.
The 26-year-old has often earned Henry’s praise with his
performances at Emirates Stadium since signing for Arsenal in July 2022. But
the Gunners great has also doubted if Jesus can be the goal-machine that Mikel
Arteta requires. He has so far scored 16 times with the club.
Jesus has offered five of his haul through 13 appearances so
far this season after thriving on Wednesday night. The Brazilian recorded his
fourth goal in the Champions League this term as Arsenal beat RC Lens 6-0. But
his sole Premier League strike this term was in September.
Gabriel Jesus has scored 16 goals in 46 games for Arsenal
Arsenal paid Manchester City £45m to sign Jesus and gained 11
goals in 33 games last term from the transfer. He also offered eight assists
across all competitions in 2022/23 over 2,347 minutes. The 64-cap Selecao star
has so far offered two assists this term from 773 minutes.
Injuries have interrupted Jesus’ time at Arsenal, as well,
after requiring surgery in December after suffering knee ligament damage at the
World Cup. He also required a minor operation on the same knee this August,
before later missing further matches with a hamstring injury.
Had Jesus stayed fit and played in all 38 of Arsenal’s
Premier League games last season, he may have scored 16 goals instead of 11
based on his hit rate last term. But only one goal over eight matches this term
makes for bleak reading, despite excelling in the Champions League.
Thierry Henry ‘hopes’ Gabriel Jesus can score more goals
Jesus left Henry in awe once more on Wednesday as he helped
Arsenal thrash Lens 6-0 with a goal and an assist. The Brazilian fed Kai
Havertz to break the deadlock before drilling home within 21 minutes. His
strike also reminded Henry of Jesus’ goal against Manchester United.
The Sao Paulo native penned his sole Premier League goal this
term against the Red Devils in September. He kept his cool in the box to evade
Jonny Evans’ futile lunge before drilling home past Andre Onana. Jesus
similarly juked a defender before slotting home against Lens.
But while Jesus’ effort impressed Henry, the Arsenal legend
remains hopeful of seeing more by the striker. The 1998 World Cup winner wants
him to be the 20-25 goal-per-season star Arteta needs at Emirates Stadium. Even
though Jesus says he provides more than just goals.
“I just love this,” Henry exclaimed on CBS Sports, via quotes
by the Mirror. “He did it against Manchester United, I don’t know if you
remember, on the break.
Everyone thought he was going to shoot, there. Watch how he
does it – oops, chops and goes back. Gabriel Jesus is a very important player
for us. Will he ever score 20-25? I hope so. But what he does in general, it’s
just great for us.”
