Arsenal will not sign a striker in January and Gabriel Jesus’ hat-trick is not the reason

It turns out that Gabriel Jesus can be quite the finisher. Arsenal have been waiting for a performance like that from the Brazilian for some time and when a goal down in the cup quarter-final, that is certainly a good time to deliver.

The finishes themselves were not exactly tap-ins either and tested several aspects of the forward’s shooting prowess. The first was a lovely dinked chip over Dean Henderson, the second involved perfect movement (which was perhaps just offside) but the strike was clinical and the third a one-on-one that again was taken with a touch of anger to it.

Jesus was on a mission and he delivered which in turn has flipped the striker situation somewhat on its head. When it came to Kai Havertz, he never came on the field, likely so Arteta could rest the German international for the weekend’s league rematch with Palace at Selhurst Park.

Now, however, the manager has something of a problem because how can you not reward that performance with another start in the team? Time will tell whether Arteta will indeed give the former Manchester City forward what he has earned.

If indeed it has changed something in Arteta’s mind, the question some might be asking is whether this affects his and potentially some other players' futures. There have been calls for the Gunners to utilise the January transfer window to sign an attacking option.

The centre-forward role has been in particular focus, with some big names being linked. Jesus’ turn of form, should it be maintained, may ironically concern some supporters that it might turn the club off signing a striker.

However, Jesus’ sudden ability to score is not likely to have had any bearing on this. The idea that Arsenal would move for a striker this window was already unlikely while Jesus was not finding the back of the net.

If a player was to come in, it was far more likely to be a wide player instead. The profiles that the Gunners need for the role are much more likely to be available in the summer with both Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres the key candidates for many.

Consistency and availability have never been guaranteed since Jesus returned from his long-term knee injury last year. Arsenal and Arteta will be hoping that changes in these coming weeks and the goals continue to flow.

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