Former Chelsea player is questioned Gabriel Jesus' potential to win the league

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has raised concerns over the goal scoring potential of Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus, suggesting that the club need a forward who can score more regularly.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Hasselbaink had this to say on the matter.

“I’ve always said about Jesus, he’s a brilliant signing but he’s not a signing for 25 goals,” claimed the former Dutch international.

“At the moment they don’t need one. But later on in the season you’re going to have games and you’re only going to have one chance, and you need your number nine to put it away.

“You need a striker that can score 25 to 30 goals a season. The majority of teams that win the league have someone who can score goals in the 20s.”

Hasselbaink was speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Wolves last night, a game in which Jesus once again failed to score.

He has now scored just 5 Premier League goals from 14 appearances this season.

The Brazilian forward started the season exceptionally for the Gunners, and has constantly been praised for his work ethic and unselfishness for the team.

However the goals have dried up of late and questions over his reliability as an out-and-out goalscorer have grown.

Despite Jesus’ lack of scoring form, yesterday’s win put the North London club top of the table and five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City going into the domestic break ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Jesus has been included in the Brazil squad and he, his teammates, and Arsenal fans alike will be hoping the 25-year-old can rediscover his goal scoring form in the desert.

With half the season gone, the Premier League looks poised to be a two horse race this term, with Jesus’ former club City still favourites despite their five-point deficit.

The analysis into Jesus’ ability to score goals is only starker as he was effectively replaced as City’s number nine by Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland who has started the season in sterling form.

In contrast to Jesus, Haaland has scored 18 Premier League goals in 13 appearances and has been tipped by many to break all goal scoring records during his time at the club.

Speaking on the same programme, former Liverpool midfielder and Sky Sports pundit did admit that Arsenal could win the Premier League, but still backed City to retain the title they won on the final day of last season.

“Why can’t Arsenal [win the league]? Man City are my favourites, I still think they’ll win it because of the qualities they have.

“But for Arsenal to be in this position, I don’t think anyone would have put them in the top four [at the start of the season].

“They might need to add in January, with the right kind of player. If they can do that and keep players fit, anything is possible.”