Arsenal are riding high in the Premier League table having won six of their first seven matches, but things are about to get a lot tougher after the international break.
As he sidles up to Gabriel Jesus at London Colney at some point over the next week, Mikel Arteta is likely to whisper some wise words into the ear of his major summer signing.
Brazil’s curious decision not to call the striker up for international duty – with their two friendlies in France seemingly designed to decide on the fringe members of their World Cup squad and not likely starters, as Jesus is – means that the former Manchester City man will be kicking his heels over the next few days, and he’s likely to have been given a few days off by his manager following his stellar start to Arsenal life.
Because, as keen fantasy football players are probably acutely aware, Jesus has managed to pick up as many Premier League yellow cards as Premier League goals this season, with that tally currently four apiece after just seven league games for his new club.
The cards have all come in his last five games, with a foul against Bournemouth, a coming together with Joao Palhinha against Fulham, dissent against Manchester United and another foul in the closing stages of the 3-0 win over Brentford all seeing Jesus‘ name being taken by the referee.
The forward is one of six Premier League players to have received four yellow cards this season, with only Fulham’s Palhinha, the player Jesus tangled with last month, on five.
He’ll be suspended for the Whites‘ clash with Newcastle after the international break, and Jesus is now on that disciplinary tightrope.
It’s just that the Arsenal man is negotiating his high wire act before the Gunners‘ two biggest games of the season so far.
Arteta’s side will be straight into north London derby action after the international break, when the prospect of a win taking Arsenal four points above Spurs will ratchet up the tension on what is always a standout affair.
Then hot on the heels of that clash comes the visit of Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium, with the aspirations of both sides potentially hinging on the outcome.
It is no exaggeration to say that it could be the biggest week of Arteta’s Arsenal tenure to date, with the Gunners presented with the perfect opportunity to silence those who claim they can’t yet be considered title contenders as they haven’t beaten quality opposition.
Tottenham and Liverpool will certainly be that, but how does Jesus approach it?
There can be absolutely no doubt that Arteta starts him against Spurs, particularly after he’s rested during the international break, but with the Liverpool game to come will he attempt to take the edge out of the 25-year-old’s game somewhat, as he hopes he doesn’t get caught up in the atmosphere of his first such occasion?
Spurs are sure to know his situation, and so Antonio Conte will likely look to employ the dark arts to try and wind up a player who will be absolutely determined not to get wound up, thereby distracted from his display.
In Arteta’s perfect world he could afford to take Jesus off before the end of a game already won, but anyone who has seen Tottenham play this season will know that isn’t all that likely.
The Brazilian is probably going to be needed for the 90 minutes, but then if he’s unavailable for the Liverpool game due to suspension that will cause a huge shift in the probability of the Gunners winning a game that would go extremely far in announcing them as a coming force.
It is a dilemma that Arteta must face, and a test of Jesus in his new role as his side’s main man.
Come through it available, and with six points, and both the Gunners and their No.9 will be on the march, regardless of bookings.