Arteta ‘really looking forward’ to Gabriel Jesus ending goal drought but admits forward ‘has to deliver’ | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he is looking forward to the moment that Gabriel Jesus ends his goal drought.

The Brazillan forward is yet to find the back of the net in 13 Premier League games this season and has scored just once in all competitions, in the EFL Cup win over Preston early this season.

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in the quarter final of that competition on Wednesday and ahead of the game, Arteta praises Jesus’ continued efforts despite his lack of goals.

“I’m very looking forward to that because he does everything in the best possible way,” he said when asked about him needing a goal. “His application, his energy, how he tries, how he wants it.

“Hopefully it’s going to be very soon.

“I don’t know if it’s confidence but he’s got that will, that the ball goes in the back of the net and then he starts to have some momentum in relation to that because in the end, he plays in a position where he needs to deliver those moments, and he’s really trying.”

Arsenal have been criticised of late for their lack of goals from open play but Arteta insists he has seen big improvements compared to last season despite his team being worse off in terms of points at this stage.

“Comparing games, what we did against Everton at home, what we did against Fulham, was ten times better (than last season),” he said.

“Against many opposition, much better. But you need the rewards of winning those games and that’s disappointing, in the last six we’ve won four and drawn to but we deserved to win all of them by a mile and we’re not happy because we want to win all six of them.”