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Gary Neville thinks £45m player is suffering with Wayne Rooney’s problem at Arsenal

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Gary Neville suggested that one Arsenal player has simply not got the patience to stop himself from drifting out of position as Wayne Rooney discussed the temptation to want to move out wide when playing up front.

It is hard to criticise what Arsenal are doing right now. They remain in the title picture in the Premier League. And they have responded to talk over how ruthless they are by scoring 11 goals in their last two games.

Certainly, one player facing a real fight to get back into the side is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has been sidelined with injury over the last few games. And in his absence, Leandro Trossard has been exceptional.

Gary Neville compares Gabriel Jesus with Wayne Rooney

There continues to be question marks over Jesus’ form in front of goal. He does so many brilliant things for the team. And there is no doubt that he has been a game-changing signing for the Gunners at £45 million.

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

And it seems that Wayne Rooney may have one suggestion as to why Jesus has not scored enough for the Gunners.

Speaking to Stick To Football, Rooney noted that he had real issues staying in position when used as a central striker – and that prompted Gary Neville to draw comparisons with the Arsenal star.

“I get it, you go from Van Nistelrooy, although he was a better player than he gets credit for I thought he was a good footballer, you go from him to me drifting wide. I think that’s the thing with Rashford now, when he plays as a forward, the hardest thing for me to learn was the patience with staying there,” Rooney said.

“I think Jesus is like that at Arsenal, he hasn’t got the patience to stay there and be there,” Neville replied

Striker now facing a fight to return to Arsenal side

It is going to be interesting to see what Arteta does once Jesus is back fit again. On current evidence, he surely has to leave the former Manchester City man out of the side for the time-being.

The last two games have brought the best out of Trossard and Kai Havertz. And with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also looking so much more dangerous – albeit against two disappointing sides – Arteta has to wonder what benefit there can be from changing anything at the moment.