Arsenal ‘problem’ pin-pointed by Merson as Gunners ‘bordering on ridiculous’

The return of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is a ‘problem’ for the Gunners because he will not want to be a bit-part player, says Paul Merson.

The former Gunner and Sky Sports pundit is astonished by the brilliance of new signing Leandro Trossard, who has been playing as a false 9 for Arsenal in the absence of Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, .

Trossard claimed a hat-trick of assists in the first half of a 3-0 cruise for Arsenal against Fulham on Saturday to keep the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City.

‘Arsenal’s performance in the first half at Fulham was mind-blowing. It was like watching Man City in their pomp and this was against a good Fulham team. It was scary. It was bordering on ridiculous,’ said Merson in his Sky Sports column.

‘It felt like they had at least two more players on the pitch but the thing that will win Arsenal the league is starting matches well. I watched them at Leicester when they were under pressure for a result and they started well and were great.

‘Then they were at home against Bournemouth and start poorly. Against Fulham they start well and it’s a walk in the park. I don’t see how they’re going to be stopped if they start well in matches.

‘Gabriel Jesus coming back is a bit of a problem for Arsenal because the lad will want to play – he didn’t sign to be a bit-part player like he was at Man City. It will cause problems in time but at the moment it’s like another signing.

‘Leandro Trossard could play for Man City. It’s an unbelievable signing for £27m. When his agent said to him he was going to Arsenal for that fee he must have thought, ‘Is that all I’m worth?!’

‘The lad could go in the Man City team on Tuesday and you wouldn’t know any different, he’s that good. But Arsenal play like Man City, if you put them in a light blue kit you would think they are. You don’t get bigger compliments than that.’

Somehow we think Arsenal can cope with the ‘problem’ of having Jesus back in their ranks alongside Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.