Gabriel Jesus puts on RVP-esque display against Crystal Palace to pose interesting transfer question for Arsenal | OneFootball

Gabriel Jesus was once again the man for Arsenal as they beat Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The Brazilian has had a tough time of late. When he first signed for Arsenal, some fans hoped he would be the solution to their striker problems. The Gunners have missed having an out-and-out goalscorer over the past few years, with some believing that is the only thing keeping them from consistently winning trophies.

This season, Kai Havertz had been given the nod through the middle, but after a strong start to the campaign he started to suffer. So, with January fast approaching, the Gunners were being linked to strikers one again.

Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak are the biggest names linked among a host of others. But Jesus will hope that he’s given Mikel Arteta an alternative that won’t cost any additional money.

Jesus went into December with just one goal in 17 games across all competitions, netting against Preston North End in the EFL Cup. In fact, at this point last weekend he had one goal in 20.

But then came the double-header against Crystal Palace. The first meeting game in the EFL Cup in midweek and Jesus scored all three of Arsenal’s goals in their 3-2 victory at the Emirates.

The Brazilian had five shots and hit the target with every one of them, leading Arsenal in both stats. He also attempted the most take-ons among Arsenal players with seven. Once that first goal had gone in, Jesus was playing with confidence.

Jesus’ hat-trick came from an xG of 1.22 and xG On Target of 1.98 — that’s a shot placement ratio of 1.63, improving his chances of scoring with where he was putting his efforts on goal. There was no way Arteta couldn’t start Jesus against Palace at Selhurst Park.

Indeed, Jesus did start on Saturday, beginning a Premier League game for just the third time this season. The question was, could he end a Premier League goal drought that went back to January? Jesus answered that within six minutes.

It was an instinctive finish from Jesus, blasting home at the far post after the ball had dropped to him. There’s an argument to be made that Jesus wouldn’t even have attempted the shot had he not gone into this game off the back of a hat-trick. The run of 23 Premier League games (six starts) had come to an end.

Arsenal’s lead didn’t last long with Ismaila Sarr equalising, but Jesus got his second shortly after. This one came from a corner — shock, Arsenal’s 50th such goal since Nicholas Jover joined the club — but Jesus’ finish was excellent, placing it into the top corner.

Jesus had now scored as many goals in his past two games (five) as he had in his previous 45. A man in form at just the right time. He also became the first player to score five consecutive Arsenal goals across all competitions since Robin van Persie in February 2011.

The Brazilian could, and maybe should, have had more than two. Arsenal’s third came from a rebound after his header hit the woodwork. Their fourth came after Jesus had an effort saved. When pleading his case to Arteta, Jesus would do well to point out that he is a good luck charm in the Premier League.

Jesus has now scored in 61 different Premier League games, and is yet to lose a single one of those matches, for Manchester City and Arsenal.

In his 86 minutes on the pitch, Jesus had another five shots, the most of any Arsenal player. He only hit the target three times on this occasion, though he still led the Gunners, and also came out on top for duels won (five).

With Jesus starting up front, Havertz dropped into the midfield three to provide another attacking outlet from deep alongside Martin Odegaard. And Havertz scored Arsenal’s third goal, before coming off in the second half for the slightly more conservative Declan Rice.

That combination, of Jesus up front and Havertz in midfield, worked well for Arsenal. But it may come to an end before it’s even really begun, with Bukayo Saka’s slight injury problem sure to force Arteta into a change.

So Havertz may also stake his claim to lead the line for Arsenal, especially in the coming weeks. The German’s last 10 Premier League goals have all been scored in London, and four of Arsenal’s next five games will be played in the capital.

Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice were the other goalscorers for Arsenal, who made a bit of history. The Gunners are the first ever top-flight side in English football to score at least five goals in six different away games in a calendar year.

Arsenal fans, and pundits, may still want the club to sign a natural goalscorer in January. But Jesus and Havertz are certainly doing their best to get Arteta’s faith.