Mikel Arteta had had enough by the hour. The result was 1-1. It’s time for a change of pace with a triple substitution.

Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho, and Raheem Sterling were let go. Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli entered. Martinelli’s goal from a cross by Bukayo Saka eight minutes later put Arsenal ahead against Southampton.

Jesus, who had made his season’s first start, could only look on. He’s the Arsenal almost player who always looks like he’s about to turn the corner but never quite does.

Although the Brazilian was out recently due to a groin ailment, Kai Havertz’s form made it unlikely that he would start in earlier games.

Jesus signed for £45 million from Manchester City in 2022, which seemed like a coup at the time, but his career at Arsenal has felt stop-start since then.

Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, injuries have been a regular occurrence, with knee issues coming back.

Jesus has had time to reach his peak performance because that has been challenging to handle. 

However, Saturday seemed like just another opportunity lost on him. The 27-year-old’s movement was poor and he failed to obtain a chance on goal. He recorded only five touches and one attempted dribble in the box.

Arteta will be concerned about Jesus’ incapacity to pose a threat to a club that hasn’t won in the Premier League yet.

It’s not like he’s not a good player. He is not a one-trick pony; he can attack from outside the area or dribble in expertly. He occasionally displays moments of class.

Throughout the summer, Arsenal maintained that a striker was not the primary focus during the transfer window due to the return of a fully-fit Jesus; yet, it appears that he has fallen short of their expectations.

There is not much longer for Jesus to turn that corner.