Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's big decision on Viktor Gyokeres for Liverpool showdown | OneFootball

Arteta weighing up whether to drop out-of-form striker for crunch game

Mikel Arteta's side had to bob and weave and even cover up on the ropes at times over the festive period.

They still landed their fair share of clean shots and the end result was three wins over Brighton, Aston Villa and Bournemouth and seven more points than they picked up from those fixtures last season.

With Manchester City stumbling their way into the New Year, it is now a six-point lead Arsenal hold at the top of the table.

Aside from a rampant second-half performance against Villa, though, the Gunners have not particularly been at their best for prolonged periods.

Gyokeres again struggled in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Bournemouth

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That could be viewed as an indicator of Arsenal being champions in waiting, picking up points over a hectic period and not needing to be firing on all cylinders to do so.

On the other side of the coin, where perhaps the more anxious Arsenal supporters are residing with their desperate hope to end the long title wait, is the argument that the Gunners need to be more dominant.

That takes us to the Arsenal attack and the striker debate that is far from being solved, even with the strong run of results.

Viktor Gyokeres has started the last five Premier League matches and has only a penalty against Everton to show for it. That is his only goal in nine appearances since the start of November.

Kai Havertz has now returned to fitness and will soon be competing for minutes. There is every chance that when fully up to speed, the German is the man leading the line for Arsenal.

However, the argument for a more immediate change than that is becoming increasingly compelling with every passing match. Arsenal host Liverpool on Thursday and Gabriel Jesus deserves his chance to start.

Jesus has come off the bench to replace Gyokeres in the last five matches and in each cameo has looked more dangerous than the Swede.

Across those games, Gyokeres has started 360 minutes and had a total of 78 touches of the ball. In just 90 minutes on the pitch, Jesus has had 67 and scored as many goals.

Gabriel Jesus has made a positive impact since his return from injury

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That difference in touches is not necessarily surprising, even if it is stark. Jesus naturally floats around the pitch and combines with his team-mates, while Gyokeres stays up the pitch on the centre-backs.

Gyokeres did that well for Arsenal's second goal against Bournemouth on Saturday, occupying four defenders as he tried to bundle through and that created the space for Declan Rice to finish.

However, while the number of touches is not a huge concern, Gyokeres needs to be contributing more to Arsenal's overall play.

He has not been convincing holding the ball up and for a striker that does not drop deep and largely plays within the width of the box, he is too rarely in the right position for crosses. Arsenal need more than an occupier from a £64m striker signing.

This side look far more fluid and comfortable with Jesus up front, just as they did when Mikel Merino filled in.

In time, there is every chance Arsenal do adapt to Gyokeres, playing in a more direct and vertical style. That might help some of the form he displayed in Portugal to emerge, but the problem at the moment feels more like his to solve rather than Arsenal's.

There are no signs that Gyokeres is suddenly going to burst into life and become undroppable.

He was billed as an immediate fix to any striker issues, the man for the here and now to fire Arsenal to the title. That was probably unfair and injuries to Havertz and Jesus left with him with a big burden to shoulder in a new team and a new league.

Gyokeres would be better viewed as a rotation option, used in games that suit his profile, rather than a guaranteed starter every match, for all Mikel Arteta has tried to play him into form in recent weeks.

Arsenal are firm Premier League favourites and a win over Liverpool on Thursday would be another step towards kicking on, particularly with City having a trip to Old Trafford on the horizon.

Gyokeres needs time to come good but as the title race heats up, Arsenal have less and less of it. Jesus coming into the side feels like the decision for the here and now, starting with Liverpool's visit.