In the latest Arsenal transfer news, Alan Shearer has said that Gabriel Jesus has consistently been underperforming his xG (expected goals) amid reports that the Gunners could look to sign a striker in January.
Arsenal have got off to a good start in the 23/24 campaign as they remain unbeaten in the Premier League so far. Mikel Arteta and co. sit second in the Premier League points table. They are ahead of defending champions Manchester City and only behind table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal are tied on points with Tottenham Hotspur, both having earned 20 points from first eight matches.
Despite the good start, some have urged Arsenal to sign a striker to bolster their attacking department. They currently have Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as centre-forwards. But the two players have not been scoring as many goals as they are expected to be scoring.
Arsenal transfer news: Alan Shearer says Gabriel Jesus has consistently been underperforming xG
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In the latest Arsenal transfer news, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen are among the names the Gunners have been linked with.
Ollie Watkins plays for Aston Villa and recently signed a new contract with the club that runs until 2028. So the England international will not certainly be available on the cheap for the Gunners.
Victor Osimhen, meanwhile, has been linked with an exit from Napoli, where he has a contract until 2025. He also won’t come on the cheap. The same could be said about Brentford’s Ivan Toney, another player linked with Arsenal.
It is amid all these Arsenal transfer news that Alan Shearer has criticized Gabriel Jesus. “Jesus does really well to anticipate the pass and nabs the ball from James Maddison’s toes,” Shearer wrote on The Athletic, referring to a moment in the north London derby in September.
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“It leaves him in an ideal position in the middle of the goal, with space around him and the choice of aiming either side. He goes with the option of hitting his shot with the front of his foot, which is fine; it’s something I used to do a lot of the time.
“But this is another example of leaning back for a shot; Jesus’ body and technique are all wrong. Without wishing to pick on him, he has consistently been underperforming his xG over the past few years, which tells you he’s getting into good positions and isn’t finishing them. Exhibit A right here.“
Jesus would go on to miss the aforementioned chance he created after dispossessing Maddison in the Tottenham defensive third.
