‘I like that’… Tim Howard admits £45m Arsenal player has proven him totally wrong 

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Tim Howard has admitted that Gabriel Jesus has proven him wrong during his time at Arsenal so far.

The former Everton goalkeeper was unsure whether the former Manchester City star was capable of leading the line for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Gabriel Jesus has struggled to find the back of the net frequently in the Premier League this term.

The 26-year-old netted his third league goal of the season to help Arsenal to a 2-0 win over Brighton on Sunday.

Yet, the Brazilian’s displays have led to suggestions that the Gunners could move for a new striker in January.

But Tim Howard believes Jesus has already proven he can play up front for Arsenal and feels his teammates may have to chip in with more goals.

Howard admits Jesus has proven him wrong at Arsenal

Speaking on The 2 Robbies Podcast, Howard admitted that he didn’t think Jesus could play as a striker at Arsenal based on his spell at City.

“The worry for me when Arteta brought Jesus into Arsenal was Pep brought him in as a number nine, it didn’t work out for him at City,” Howard said. “So he moved him to the wing, he’s really good on the wing in terms of his pressing, his energy and his crossing. I like that.

“And then Arteta brings him in as a number nine and I’m thinking they’ve already done this experiment at City, he doesn’t really work there. He worked there last year, he got the goals, and he was in good form and rhythm.

“Then he got injured and he hasn’t hit the ground running since he came back. My worry for Arsenal is, normally the load is shared around by other players. Some of their numbers are down, not Saka.”

He added: “If the scoring is balanced, my worry is some of the numbers of the other guys around him is down, which worries me a little bit.

“If those guys have average years and Jesus has a sub-par year, I’m struggling to see Premier League champions whose number nine doesn’t score 10 plus goals and that worries me.”

Jesus looks unlikely to develop into a lethal goalscorer overnight but the £45 million striker brings a lot more than just goals to this Arsenal side.

The Brazilian’s work-rate off the ball is exemplary and he excels at bringing his teammates into play.

Howards makes a great point that Arsenal’s attacking players will need to chip in with more goals should Jesus continue to lead the line.

Saka has continued to produce in the final third and Kai Havertz has also popped up with three goals in his last five games.