One of the most amusing trends these days on the net is "What has happened to Gabriel Jesus since his name ties in with a possible move to Arsenal?".
People compare him to the Brazilian Ronaldo, attach the phenomenal haircut from 2002 to him, replace his face with that of Pele, the green giant and more.
Entertaining, but requested.
Because from the moment the news of a move to the Gunners started popping up, the Manchester City Brazilian striker really looked like a demon had entered him.
In the last three games he has scored six goals and added a brace, and in April he scored against Liverpool, against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, and along the way added a quartet against Watford.
And yet, when Pep Guardiola was asked this week about the striker's future, the coach replied: "I really do not know what is going to happen to him."
Jesus, in his current state, is definitely a riddle.
On the one hand, he is able to conquer such quantities in a short period of time, but on the other hand also to reach the month of April with only two league goals.
The Brazilian can win against Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid, as he did this season, and at the same time - miss out on quantities and not find the net against inferior rivals.
Jesus in action.
In record shape, Photo: Reuters
There is no question about his tremendous defensive contribution, joy of life, commitment and diversity in the game.
"He has 1,000 different movements," Pep explained.
"He moves without a ball to make room for others. He has a tremendous character, and I am very happy for him."
At the same time, in very many games the Spaniard is willing to give up all this good.
Jesus started only four times in 2022, and in the Champions League he was 11th in just two games.
Therefore, reports of a possible move to Arsenal did not come by chance.
Led to them the fact that Guardiola often preferred to give up his services in favor of another contact, and also the news that City were flirting in all seriousness with the thought of joining Arling Holland.
At the same time, Arsenal are interested in strengthening their attack for next season, and their professional manager - the Brazilian Edo, who knows Jesus from Celsa - is interested in closing the deal.
"The instinct of a true pioneer"
And really - until recently, such a move seemed like a good deal to all parties.
"If he plays regularly at Arsenal he will score amounts of goals," analyzed Rio Ferdinand, who at the time of this quote did not yet know that the Brazilian would open against Real and win 3: 4, and then add another one against Leeds.
Gabriel Jesus.
Uncertainty about the future, Photo: Reuters
The ability the Brazilian has shown in recent weeks adds uncertainty.
Suddenly his numbers are presented in a different light, and it turns out that he is different from four players in the history of the Premier League who were involved in goal (goal or cooking) in more than 58% of the games in which they started in the squad.
The other three are Salah, Thierry Henry and Con Aguaro.
It also turns out that it does not exist in the history of the Brazilian Champions League with a good goal / minute ratio from Jesus, who stands at 20 goals in 37 appearances.
Here, within a few games the Brazilian managed to challenge the determination that he is not a striker 9, when he scored some goals that proved otherwise.
"You can see that when he plays next to an extension in the right lineup, he has the instinct of a true striker," said Henry, while former stopper Mika Richards added: "I would not release him to any team, he has a key role in success."
Gabriel Jesus.
Pioneer 9 or not ?, Photo: Getty Images
With one year until the end of the contract, it's Jesus' time to make decisions about his future.
Pep would certainly want the Brazilian to continue at City, but there are constraints and there is the player's desire to get significant playing minutes.
"This is not the time to talk about what will happen to me," he said this week, and not for nothing.
With each passing day Jesus' status changes, and maybe he will change even more after the rematch against Real.
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