Micah Richards Says Arsenal Have an ‘unplayable’ Star Who Could Win Them the Premier League

Arsenal’s Title Race: Strength in Depth and the Star Player

With Arsenal continuing their fine form during the festive period, it was a notable performance against Aston Villa that showcased the team’s depth. As the squad shared the goalscoring load with Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus all netting, the narrative of Arsenal’s title race started to shift towards a new perspective. Former Manchester City player Micah Richards believes there is one standout player who could be crucial in securing the Premier League title.

Identifying the Difference-Maker

“I thought the substitution of Jesus as well, he’s just, he looks sharp again,” remarked Richards. “He could be the difference between Arsenal winning a league and not.” This insight comes at an opportune time for Mikel Arteta’s squad, which has taken multiple transfer windows to build what appears to be a title-winning team.

The Squad’s Strength

With new signings like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Piero Hincapie making significant contributions, it is clear that Arsenal’s depth is now their strongest suit. However, Richards highlights the unique role of Gabriel Jesus in this equation. “The squad, the strength and depth for Arsenal is just ridiculous,” he asserts.

Jesus: A Ripe Target

“With Jesus, obviously, I watched him a lot when he was at Man City and he never really was the main man, but he does so many things for the team that maybe go unnoticed,” Richards elaborates. “So his work rate for one, his press, his ability to make his own chances, even though he’s not clinical at times.” Richards recalls Jesus’s form when first signed by Arsenal, describing him as “unplayable” and “unbelievable.”

Managing Minutes

“He was unbelievable. He was unplayable at times. Then he got his injury and when he come back, he wasn’t the same.

He got another injury and then he came back. He’s just finding his feet,” Richards notes. “But now with different options and not having to rely on him for the full 90 minutes as the main man, now you’ve got Havertz, now you’ve got Gyokeres. So he can manage his minutes and get the best out of him in the time that is required for when he’s on the pitch.” This flexibility in usage could be key to ensuring Jesus remains fit and effective throughout the remainder of the season.

Conclusion

A Title-Winning Arsenal?

In a game of “fine margins,” as Arteta often emphasizes, even off-the-bench contributions from Gabriel Jesus can make all the difference. The Brazilian’s record since joining Arsenal is impressive, with 26 goals and 20 assists in his 100 appearances. As the Premier League enters its crunch period, Arsenal will be hoping that their squad depth, combined with the right management of key players like Jesus, can propel them to a title-winning season.