Mikel Arteta faces January transfer dilemma even after Arsenal destroy Crystal Palace
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We may never know what Mikel Arteta has asked for this Christmas. But Gabriel Jesus' return to form has been a welcome - if unexpected - early present for the Arsenal boss. The Brazilian striker's first Premier League goal since January came in the ninth minute of Saturday evening's fixture at Crystal Palace. His next took just eight minutes to arrive, rather than 11 months.
It's now five goals in a week for the former Manchester City man (all coming against the Eagles) and takes the heat off some of his team-mates, who had gone three league matches without scoring from open play prior to their trip down to south London. But if we're being blunt, this is no prelude to a Christmas miracle: as good a player as Jesus is, history has shown us that the 27-year-old is not the man to plunder the goals Arsenal will require to end their 20-plus year title drought come May.
That's not to understate the significance of his contributions this week. His treble in midweek means Arsenal are still in with a chance of landing the first trophy of the season, and with people starting to ask questions about Arteta's trophy haul after five years at the helm, that could prove invaluable.
And in terms of the big prize - the Premier League title - a win away at Palace is never something to be scoffed at and puts pressure on Liverpool ahead of their big away trip to Tottenham on Sunday. But even after watching them put five past Crystal Palace, it still feels like Arsenal lack the firepower to outlast their title rivals over the course of a season. And while January may not seem like the optimum opportunity to try and amend such an issue, the fact that the all-conquering Manchester City side that has bested them in seasons past seem to be in terminal decline must surely give Arteta and Arsenal's powerbrokers food for thought.
