Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith feels Gabriel Jesus was jaded against Southampton; Paul Merson wants the Gunners to sign Wilfried Zaha

Arsenal have been in sensational form this season as they were leading the Premier League standings ahead of reigning champions Manchester City. However they recently dropped two points courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Southampton in their latest fixture. After the game many people felt that some players looked jaded, especially the architect of this season’s success for them, Gabriel Jesus. Apart from him Eddie Nketiah also looked like a shadow of his natural self as they had to settle for a draw. 

Gabriel Jesus who has joined Arsenal this summer from Manchester City has played his 11th consecutive Premier League games and definitely he looked a little jaded as he lacked that presence upfront. The Brazilian is generally very energetic in attack and that the entire league has witnessed ever since he donned the Arsenal shirt. 

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith shared how he felt Jesus was not at his best and showed signs of struggles against Southampton. Smith did not mince his words and clearly suggested Arteta to look for alternatives as he feels a break for the Brazilian would be good to rethink and then come back to form. “For me, Jesus is looking a touch jaded. It’s been a battle out there and he played most of the game on Thursday,” Smith shared. 

Recently Arsenal’s depth was questioned and some experts suggested that they lack some attacking options on the bench and to this context former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has a suggestion for the Gunners as he wants Arsenal to snap up Crystal Palace’s poster boy Wilfried Zaha. His contract is over in the upcoming summer and Merson feels that he can be a very utility pick for the Gunners and add depth to their attacking options. 

“Wilfried Zaha plays every week at Crystal Palace. He can have a bad game and still start the following match, and that might not happen at a big-six club. I think he should seriously consider his options before running down his contract,” Merson wrote in his column in Daily Star.

He also shared how he is a legend at Crystal Palace and everyone loves him. But he also sees a club like Arsenal chasing him. But it can be very dicey as Arsenal will need players as they enter the Champions League once again next season and having someone as experienced and talented as Zaha will be a big advantage for the Gunners. However it depends on Zaha to decide his future as he wont be starting regular at Arsenal like he does for Palace. 

“He’s a legend at Palace, and the manager loves him. I see someone like Arsenal coming in for him if they get into the Champions League, but do you go there and risk becoming a bit-part player? He needs to sit down and have a big think about his future,” Merson concluded.