Gabriel Jesus has been sensational since making the summer switch to Arsenal from Manchester City in the transfer window. The Gunners were screaming out for a top-quality striker at the back end of last season and it seems they have found that in the Brazilian.
Jesus has had an excellent start to the season under Mikel Arteta scoring two goals in his first home game for the Gunners against Leicester. This form is after an impressive pre-season where he scored seven goals in five matches.
Arsenal lacked any real attacking intent from inside the opposition's 18-yard box last season, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were largely ineffective. However, Jesus’ impressive statistics in the final third highlight why the Gunners have seen major improvement this season.
READ MORE: Edu pushed toward Mikel Arteta's ideal Arsenal free transfer as Champions League verdict is made
Jesus leads in Europe’s top five leagues this season for having the most touches in the opposition box. The Brazilian international has so far taken 66 touches.
Behind him is Kylian Mbappe with 63, then Mohamed Sala with 55, and Lionel Messi who has had 50 touches inside the opposition’s 18-yard box. The fact that Jesus is leading this statistic ahead of names who dominate the goal-scoring lists year-upon-year shows why Edu’s decision to sign the Brazilian for just £45m will turn out to be a bargain.
It is clear that Jesus will become one of Arsenal’s most iconic strikers if he continues on this trajectory. His incredible statistics also highlight that he is on his way to becoming a Premier League great.
In the first three games of the Premier League this season, according to Squawka, Jesus had the highest expected goals (xG) in the division, alongside the most goals and assists, the most touches in the opposition box, and the most take-ons completed. The Brazilian had been completely dominant in his opening matches as an Arsenal player.
However, the statistic that gives him the keys to becoming an iconic Premier League striker is the fact that he ranks fifth in Premier League history for goal involvement per minute without a penalty. Jesus contributes to a goal every 107.6 minutes via Orbinho.
Jesus has already set the Premier League alight in his opening months as an Arsenal player. If he continues to lead the European leaderboard in terms of the number of touches inside the opposition box, then he is certain to be a regular name on the scoresheet for the Gunners.
READ NEXT:
Antonio Conte backed for Spurs exit as Arsenal vindicated in Mikel Arteta project decision
Mikel Arteta fulfils William Saliba contract request as Arsenal take step closer to renewal
Edu can solve Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney puzzle with January transfer
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
Three Arsenal legends nominated for greatest Premier League transfer of all time
