There is growing debate surrounding Arsenal’s forward situation. Victor Jacques has struggled to make his mark, while oft-injured Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has provided a quiet reminder of why the Gunners tend to perform better when he leads Arsenal’s attack. It’s not just about goals. It’s about contact, tempo and how Arsenal actually attack.

Gabriel Jesus’ fit at Arsenal goes beyond numbers. His value is in how the team moves, how it attacks and how it keeps the pressure going. Arsenal have lacked this connector role at times, especially against compact defences.

Joe Kress’s struggles aren’t purely personal. They are mainly structural. Arsenal dominate possession in most games, meaning forwards are often asked to operate in tight spaces rather than bursting into open channels. Joe Cres excels when he can attack directly into space, but Arsenal rarely face deep defenses in this way.

In possession-heavy games, Gio Cres can become isolated. The ball circulates around him rather than through him. When services are limited and contacts are few, his influence naturally declines. This has led to frustration and a growing perception that he doesn’t provide enough help in the offense.

This context is important. Arsenal’s current problem in the final third is more about the fluidity of the attack than finishing the game on its own.

What enables Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus to play the role of connector

Gabriel Jesus has transformed Arsenal’s attacking approach as he constantly looks to get others involved. He penetrates deep into midfield areas, drifts out wide and creates passing angles that don’t exist for static forwards.

Gabriel Jesus’ connector role allows Arsenal to move the ball around more cleanly. Arsenal often pass the ball through Jesus rather than forcing passes around the box. He links the midfield with the attack and helps maintain pressure by keeping the run going.

That’s why Arsenal tend to look sharper and more unpredictable when Jesus is on the pitch. The ball moves faster. Spacing improved. Attacks feel less rehearsed and more reactive.

How Jesus improves Arsenal’s attacking flow

Arsenal’s attacking fluidity increased significantly when Jesus came on. The wingers benefit from his movement as defenders are dragged out of position, creating more space for the likes of Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli to exploit. Midfielders also benefit as they have a reliable outlet between the defensive lines to get deep into space, link up play and turn possession into attacking momentum.

Jesus doesn’t need to score to impact the game. His positioning and decision-making allow him to act as a connector between different parts of the pitch. For example, by dropping slightly deeper, he could receive the ball from Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard and immediately combine with a wide player or forward running in behind the defence. This ability to quickly combine and read the flow of the game means Arsenal can maintain a tempo even when the defense is compact.

This is especially important in tight games, where breaking down a well-organized defense requires subtle movements rather than brute force. Instead of forcing the ball into the box, Jesus helped Arsenal circulate the ball, create overloads on one side and pull defenders out of their comfort zones. He is essentially the fulcrum of the offense, ensuring that the team’s actions are coordinated and unpredictable.

By contrast, when Arsenal rely entirely on the penalty area, the attack becomes slower and more predictable. Defenders can crowd into the box and Arsenal’s chances are often limited to long balls, crosses or isolated shots. Jesus helps prevent this stagnation by constantly connecting passes, dragging defenders and creating new angles of attack. His influence is often overlooked on the goal sheet but is crucial to how Arsenal control possession and create quality chances.

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Why this matters now

Arsenal are at a stage where control and possession are high, but creating chances is still a struggle. In this case, a linking striker makes more sense than a pure finisher. Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus fits what Arsenal need right now, even if he isn’t the clinicalest option.

That doesn’t mean Joe Kress can’t succeed. This means that Arsenal’s current structure can play to Jesus’ strengths more naturally. Fit is just as important as talent.

Gabriel Jesus may not always grab the headlines, but his importance to Arsenal’s attack is clear. He connects all phases of the game, increases the tempo of the offense, and brings his teammates into the game. At present, this connector role may be more valuable to Arsenal than the traditional number nine.

That’s why, even with new signings and changing expectations, Gabriel Jesus is still making Arsenal’s attack work.

Main photo

Credit: Image/IPS

Record date: December 23, 2025