CHRISTMAS NO.1 IS NO NOVELTY RECORD
Jesus is used to being top in December and warns Arsenal are the real deal, but that the hard work is just beginning
MIKEL ARTETA told Arsenal fans to enjoy being top at Christmas.
But as one of the team’s few experienced trophy winners, Gabriel Jesus warns the players cannot have thoughts of putting their feet up and reflecting on what they have achieved.
This comfortable win combined with Manchester
City’s shock home defeat to Brentford moved the Gunners five points clear and ensured they will be leaders on Christmas Day for the first time since 2007.
Boss Arteta urged the supporters to enjoy the “transformation” – Arsenal have not finished higher than fifth since 2016.
Victory was especially impressive as several of the squad were suffering from a sickness bug which forced off Granit Xhaka in the first half.
Jesus won the Premier League with four times with City in six years from 2016 and stressed the importance of his current team-mates focusing on their own performances and not getting caught up in the growing hype around them after his former club slipped up.
Jesus, signed for £45million in the summer, said: “We can’t look to others. We know Man City, obviously I know them more than most of the people. But we have to do our job.
“We know the Premier League isn’t easy, it’s the toughest league in the world. It’s not only Man City – it’s Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea.
“What can we do? Just focus on ourselves, that is all.” This win against Wolves was Arsenal’s 12th and put them on 37 points, their best record 14 games into a season.
“Everyone can see the spirit of the team and the way we love each other,” added Jesus. “The way we want to help each other on the pitch. That is what happens when you’re in another family.
“We spend more time here than home. Everyone is like this. That is why it’s working outside. We have a young team so we run a lot – with the ball and without the ball.”
Jesus went close to adding to his five goals this campaign but had an effort ruled offside and was then denied by the crossbar.
But Arsenal deservedly triumphed in the second half, impressive skipper Martin Odegaard scoring from close range in the 54th minute.
He then made the game safe 15 minutes from time, lashing a shot into the bottom corner after Wolves failed to clear.
The home side had only two shots on target as Gunners keeper Aaron Ramsdale kept his seventh clean sheet.
Wolves might have had an early penalty when William Saliba brought down Goncalo Guedes, but Arsenal escaped.
And while the north Londoners can relish the rest of the season after the World Cup, Wolves look in big trouble.
New manager Julen Lopetegui, who starts work today, was in the stands to witness the defeat.
He is inheriting a toothless side who have scored only eight times in the league this season, by far the worst return in the top flight.
But if Lopetegui needs any inspiration for turning around a struggling club, the Spaniard should just look to his compatriot Arteta.