Gabriel Jesus makes instant Barcelona impact with warning to attacking rivals

Gabriel Jesus has scored twice in just 37 minutes for Barcelona, sending a clear message to his team-mates after questions were raised about his fitness and the club’s decision to sign him from Arsenal.

The Brazil forward has featured in two La Liga matches, against Valencia and Racing Santander, as well as one Champions League fixture against Feyenoord. Despite his limited playing time, he has already found the net twice.

Spanish newspaper AS described his start as “outstanding” and said it represented a warning to anyone who had doubted the value of the deal. Jesus arrived at Barcelona late in the process, with concerns over his physical condition and the €10m fee paid to Arsenal to secure his signing.

But the newspaper said the Brazilian had provided the best possible response by scoring goals. It also praised the quality of his latest effort against Racing Santander, describing it as “a spectacular goal”.

Jesus had already addressed concerns about his fitness when he was officially presented by Barcelona.

“My knee problems are a thing of the past,” he said. “I am not here to improve. I am at the peak of my physical condition.”

His early performances have now given substance to those words. Rather than simply rejecting doubts in public, Jesus has begun answering them on the pitch where, as a footballer, he can make his strongest statement.

His current scoring rate is particularly striking. Two goals in 37 minutes amounts to one goal every 18.5 minutes, according to AS.

It remains too soon to draw firm conclusions from such a small sample, but the forward has made a clear impression since joining the Catalan side. He has arrived with strong motivation and is ready to compete for a regular starting place.

Jesus also possesses qualities that suit Hansi Flick’s Barcelona: outstanding pace, an ability to press intensely, excellent link-up play, positional versatility and experience in major matches.

Those attributes give him the potential to challenge every other Barcelona forward this season. His early numbers have already provided a stark warning to his fellow attackers and a clear message to Flick.