Arsenal need Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling to seize Preston opportunity to kickstart seasons into life | OneFootball

Jesus and Sterling set to make case for more action ahead of key run for Arsenal

There was a time when Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling were the spark in Manchester City’s attack.

Neither player has had the start to the season they would have wanted, and Arsenal’s trip to Deepdale on Wednesday provides them with a chance to press for more minutes.

Jesus and Sterling are both expected to start, with Mikel Arteta set to make changes before a run of three away games in nine days at Newcastle, Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Those are the matches Jesus and Sterling will want to be playing in, but if they are to convince Arteta then they must seize opportunities like the Preston game.

Opportunity: Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling are both set to start at Deepdale

AFP via Getty Images

It has, in particular, been a frustrating season so far for Jesus.

The 27-year-old striker was not part of the Brazil squad for the Copa America in the summer and instead used the time to get fully fit.

Jesus was able to avoid having surgery on a knee problem that troubled him all last season and he looked sharp upon returning to training.

He scored against Manchester United on Arsenal’s US tour and also found the net against Bayer Leverkusen in a game at Emirates Stadium.

“He looks really good, he looks really sharp,” said Arteta at the time. “He’s changed a lot of things over the summer and he’s come back in top condition again.”

But Jesus then picked up a groin injury in August and that set him back. He has started just four games this season and his wait for a first goal for Arsenal since January goes on.

The situation has felt typical of much of Jesus’s time at Arsenal. Whenever he seems like he is hitting his stride, injury strikes.

That was especially the case last season when, after scoring and starring in a win at Sevilla in the Champions League in October, Jesus injured his hamstring.

The same happened in January, when he scored against Nottingham Forest but was then out because he needed to drain fluid from his knee.

A fully-fit Jesus can be an asset to Arsenal, but right now he feels like a player in need of a goal to boost his confidence and turn his season around.

Sterling will also be hoping for a change in fortunes, although admittedly he has only been at Arsenal for two months since joining from Chelsea on loan on transfer deadline day.

The winger has played 243 minutes in that time, starting three games. There have been flashes of promise, most notably against Bolton in the Carabao Cup last month, but he too needs that “click” that Arteta so often talks about.

The manager will hope Wednesday is that moment, because Arsenal will need Jesus and Sterling during the next few months.

After the November international break, the packed festive schedule is just around the corner and the depth of Arsenal’s squad will be truly tested.

Jesus and Sterling will both have a role to play in that time - but how big a role will depend on seizing the opportunities that come their way.