Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, right, scores their side’s second goal during their English Premier League football match against Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium, London, Saturday, August 13, 2022. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
AP
LONDON
It didn’t take long for Gabriel Jesus to impress at the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazilian striker marked his home debut for Arsenal on Saturday with two goals and two assists in a 4-2 win over Leicester in the Premier League.
But apparently it wasn’t enough for Jesus himself.
“He was very disappointed in the dressing room because he said he could have scored four,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “I wouldn’t like to play against him as a defender. He’s so mobile, so intuitive, always sharp.”
25-year-old Jesus, who has so far come over from Manchester City as Arsenal’s summer signing, opened his account for the Gunners in the 23rd minute with a brilliant curling finish. He got his second off a header in the 35th and had several chances to end the game with a hat-trick.
The two times Leicester got a foothold in the game, Arsenal hit back right away.
The visitors made it 2-1 from an own goal by William Saliba in the 53rd, but Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka restored the tie two minutes later with two goals from the home side. Xhaka scored after Jesus stabbed a loose ball in his path when Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward failed to hold on to a routine cross in the penalty area and collided with defender Wesley Fofana.
Leicester attacking midfielder James Maddison made it 3-2 in the 74th when he sent a low shot through the legs of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
A nervous murmur went through the crowd, but the Arsenal team didn’t panic as it did in similar situations in recent seasons. Jesus drove forward just a minute later and cashed in to attacker Gabriel Martinelli, who fired a left shot from just outside the area to beat Ward at the back post to make it 4-2.
“It was a bit of a mixed bag for us today,” said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. “There were good moments. But we made mistakes in the most important moments of the game.”
Leicester also had a penalty decision quashed just before half time after the referee first pointed to the spot and was then asked to judge a meeting of Ramsdale and Leicester forward Jamie Vardy in the penalty area.
On a hot day, with the mercury reaching around 33 C (91 F), six goals and the pace of play demanded a lot from the players and water breaks were needed in each half. The result means Arsenal have won both of their first league games, with Leicester drawing their first game.
Jesus was at the center of Arsenal’s attack throughout the match, with teammates trying to get him the ball at every opportunity. For his first goal, he took one touch after receiving a pass from Xhaka, set himself and then bent a shot that deflected slightly to sail past Ward.
Jesus got a little help for his second from Vardy. The Leicester attacker shot the ball back over the goal from a corner and Jesus headed into an empty net at the back post.
The striker nearly scored a hat-trick before half-time when he dominated Leicester defender Jonny Evans with his back to goal, circled him in the box and fired a low shot which was saved by Ward. He also had several chances in the second half.
The challenge for Arsenal when it comes to Jesus is to keep him fit throughout the season as he was not used to playing every game during his time at Manchester City.
“We have to manage that tax,” Arteta said. “We have to be on top of that.”
But the manager said Jesus has already raised standards among the team in training and the way he connects with his teammates.
Jesus says he enjoys being Arsenal’s number 9 but he has no ill feelings towards his former club.
“I was not unhappy at City,” he said. “I just want to play. I understand the club, I understand the manager. But you know sometimes players want to play. And I’m the same. And here I come and I train every day.”
Unlike Arsenal, Leicester has been very quiet on the transfer market and will try to hold on to key players such as Fofana and Maddison, who spark interest from other clubs. The team only announced the first transfer window signing on the eve of Saturday’s game. Alex Smithies, a 32-year-old backup goalkeeper who most recently played for Cardiff, signed a two-year contract with the Foxes.
Rodgers hopes the transfer rumors about some of his players will not contaminate the team as a whole.
“I think it’s difficult for the young players,” he said. “But you could see the spirit in the team today. The players kept going until the end.”
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