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Jake Stokes

What Gabriel Jesus told Bukayo Saka to do vs Brentford to warrant 'phenomenal' Arsenal praise

Gabriel Jesus continued his rich vein of form with another goal as Arsenal beat Brentford 3-0 to stay top of the Premier League heading into the international break. The 25-year-old impressed as he led the line for Mikel Arteta's side to great effect, netting his fourth of the campaign.

However, while his goal contributions have proven pivotal towards the Gunners' success this season, the striker seems to have taken up an as important role elsewhere at the club. Jesus has become a figurehead in the side who has been granted the responsibility of dictating the north Londoners' press.

The Brazil international, who penned a five-year at the Emirates Stadium this summer after leaving Manchester City in a deal worth £45million, has been seen triggering and leading Arsenal's press since arriving at the club. And, evidence of this can be seen in the Gunners' clash versus Brentford as Jesus continues to prove himself as more than just a goalscorer.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals why he gave Ethan Nwaneri debut vs Brentford as Cesc Fabregas record broken

As spotted by fans on Reddit, the Brazilian led Arsenal's first press of the second-half. Upon the referee's whistle, Jesus tactfully chased down the ball while instructing teammates Fabio Vieira and Bukayo Saka to follow suit and block the passing lanes preventing the Bees from progressing possession through the thirds.

Jesus' press forced Brentford to play backwards, resulting in the goalkeeper - David Raya - restarting an attack from his own six-yard box. Arteta has already said that the striker's ability to lead the line is 'phenomenal' after having done similar in pre-season against Sevilla.

"What [people] are seeing is that everybody, not just Gabby, plays at that intensity and that willingness to win the ball, to promote mistakes and to play in the opponent’s half as much as possible," the Spaniard said in his post-game press conference. "You cannot do that if players at the front are walking, they are not tracking, they don’t have that instinct and that intention to provoke things that we want and Gabby is phenomenal at that."

On what Jesus brings to the team, Arteta added: "His versatility is well known. Now we are using him as a nine, he can play as a winger, off the left and the right. You can play with two strikes as we have done in pre-season as well and change the shape a little bit. He gives us a lot of flexibility."

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