The stat that proves how Gabriel Jesus has changed Arsenal's attack

FT Desk

21 Aug 2022 03:10 CDT
3 min read

Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Gabriel Jesus has certainly passed the eye test since swapping Manchester City for Arsenal, and his underlying stats more than back him up.

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Jesus was incredibly unlucky not to be on the scoresheet as the Gunners beat Bournemouth 3-0 on Saturday. Martin Odegaard took his second goal off the Brazilian's toe, and Jesus later had a fine finish ruled out for offside.

Jesus nonetheless boasts five goal involvements from just three Premier League games for Arsenal, and the £45 million/€53m summer arrival from Man City could have had even more.

Jesus's performance against Bournemouth saw him enjoy 45 touches in their box, taking his total to 67 in the opposition penalty area from his opening three games.

3️⃣ Games
2️⃣ Goals
3️⃣ Assists

Gabriel Jesus, signing of the summer 💪 pic.twitter.com/Gm9mev8Kuu
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 21, 2022

Alexandre Lacazette, who re-joined Lyon this summer after falling out of favour, only managed 104 across his 20 starts last season - a figure Jesus is on course to beat in just two more games.

Arsenal are now top of the Premier League having won their opening three games for the first time since the 2004/05 season under Arsene Wenger, and a positive dressing room atmosphere is playing its part.

Jesus forgives

Jesus wasn't even annoyed at having a goal stolen from him.

"He was okay with me, he said I was in a better position," new Gunners captain Odegard explained after the game.

"I tried to give him one back but unfortunately it was offside but that's football.

“I think he’s not just about the goals, he gives us so much in the play as well. He drops down to combine, he's brilliant in a lot of phases in the game, it's amazing to play with and we're really lucky to have him here."

Fellow summer arrival from Manchester City Oleksandr Zinchenko has also fitted in quickly, and is already in the 99th percentile league-wide for progressive passes and carries.