Arsenal were unable to sign a high-profile winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform until the next opportunity to address this area of the pitch opens.
However, Marquinhos' impressive performance against FC Zurich reminded Mikel Arteta that signing another winger may not have been necessary. Arsenal’s new young star Marquinhos had a standout performance as he scored and assisted on his debut.
It seems that Arteta will not be the only person to benefit for Marquinhos’ start to life with the Gunners, as Gabriel Jesus could also reap the success of the Brazilian’s potential as an Arsenal player. That's according to former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell.
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Campbell was very happy with Marquinhos' performance and believes Gabriel Jesus will be "rubbing his hands together" watching the quality of deliveries from his compatriot. "Some of the crosses he put in... The first cross he put in was for [Granit] Xhaka and if Xhaka hits the target he scores," Campbell told Football Insider.
"Marquinhos whips in those crosses. He comes back in on his left foot and whips it. That could be a real weapon, I tell you.
"If I was Gabriel Jesus I would be rubbing my hands together. The cross for Eddie Nketiah, I don’t think you will see a better cross all season."
Before joining Arsenal for a £3million fee in the summer, the Brazilian was not a well-known player in Europe. But at just 19-years-old he has already registered a full season under his belt and could follow the same trajectory that Gabriel Martinelli did when he made the move to north London in 2019.
Despite the acquisition of Marquinhos, Arteta was still thought to be on the lookout for a new winger before the summer window slammed shut, and the unsuccessful pursuit of Raphinha has been the strongest hint yet that the club is serious about recruiting one - especially after Nicolas Pepe also departed the club on loan. That there hasn't been any incoming attackers since suggests that the chance to try and secure the Brazilian's services was too good to ignore.
football.london understands that Edu already had his sights set on another winger going into the final days of the transfer window. Pedro Neto was thought to be among the main targets, while Mykhaylo Mudryk was also a name that the Gunners were tracking.
But if he is able to produce similar performances to what was seen against FC Zurich, it can only gain the trust from Arteta in the Brazilian, which could make him rethink his transfer plans. This approach would be further justified if Jesus also begins to benefit from the impact shown by Marquinhos.
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