Paul Merson says Gabriel Jesus' return could be 'a problem' for Arteta

‘He didn’t sign to be a bit-part player like he was at Man City’: Paul Merson claims Gabriel Jesus’ return to the Arsenal side could be ‘bit of a problem’ for Mikel Arteta as he will ‘want to play’

• The Brazilian forward had missed the Gunners last 12 Premier League games
• The 25-year-old picked up a knee injury during the World Cup in Qatar last year
• Merson also praised signing Leandro Trossard following his move from Brighton 

Paul Merson has claimed Gabriel Jesus’ return to the Arsenal side could be ‘bit of a problem’ for Mikel Arteta as he will ‘want to play’.

The Brazilian forward had missed the Gunners last 12 Premier League games after picking up a knee injury during the World Cup in Qatar. 

However, the 25-year-old came off the bench to play for the first time since November in Sunday’s 3-0 victory at Fulham.

‘Gabriel Jesus coming back is a bit of a problem for Arsenal because the lad will want to play – he didn’t sign to be a bit-part player like he was at Man City,’ the ex-Arsenal and England winger told Sky Sports.

‘It will cause problems in time but at the moment it’s like another signing.’

Paul Merson has claimed Gabriel Jesus’ return to the Arsenal side could be ‘bit of a problem’ for Mikel Arteta as he will ‘want to play’

The Brazilian forward had missed the Gunners last 12 Premier League games after picking up a knee injury during the World Cup in Qatar

Merson continued: ‘Arsenal’s performance in the first half at Fulham was mind-blowing.

‘It was like watching Man City in their pomp and this was against a good Fulham team. It was scary. It was bordering on ridiculous.

‘It felt like they had at least two more players on the pitch but the thing that will win Arsenal the league is starting matches well.

‘I watched them at Leicester when they were under pressure for a result and they started well and were great.

‘Then they were at home against Bournemouth and start poorly. Against Fulham they start well and it’s a walk in the park. 

‘I don’t see how they’re going to be stopped if they start well in matches.’

‘Huge [to have him back],’ Arteta told Sky Sports before the game.

‘His presence, what he transmits to the teams, the experience he has in these types of games, he’s a huge player for us.

‘He’s changed our dynamic, he’s changed our belief he’s put the team in a different status and it’s great to have him back.’ 

Merson also praised January signing Leandro Trossard following his move from Brighton. 

‘Huge [to have him back],’ Arteta told Sky Sports before the game against Fulham

Merson also praised January signing Leandro Trossard following his move from Brighton

He said: ‘Leandro Trossard could play for Man City. It’s an unbelievable signing for £27m. 

‘When his agent said to him he was going to Arsenal for that fee he must have thought, “Is that all I’m worth?!”

‘The lad could go in the Man City team on Tuesday and you wouldn’t know any different, he’s that good.

‘But Arsenal play like Man City, if you put them in a light blue kit you would think they are. You don’t get bigger compliments than that.’

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