'I feel the need' - Ian Wright sends plea to Arsenal supporters to back under-fire star

Gabriel Jesus has yet to score for Arsenal this season and has struggled for form - but Gunners icon Ian Wright has urged supporters to back the Brazil forward.

Ian Wright has called on Arsenal supporters to rally behind Gabriel Jesus - as the forward continues to search for what would be his first goal of the season.

Despite falling out of favour at Arsenal, Wright is adamant that the club's supporters should not turn against him and has urged them to back the Brazilian rather than criticising his performances. On his Wrighty's House podcast, the former Gunners striker stated: "Can I just say something about Gabriel Jesus because I feel the need to support him right now. I really, really do," as relayed by The Mirror.

"I know there's a feeling that we may have outgrown him, but remember when Gabby came, he was a leveller, he levelled us up. Arsenal are at a certain level now, but we will need him at some stage.

"I think it's important in this moment for the Arsenal fans to support him. They have to get behind him.

"Don't be frustrated with the way he's playing. He's trying so hard at the moment and we're going to need him.

"We need to make sure we give him confidence, because he's won this [the Premier League] four times. He's been clutch in many situations before. Listening to the murmurings and the way the fans are... please, man, back this guy and stay with him.

"He wants to do so well. It's just not happening right now, but he needs support, he really, really does."

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Jesus marked his return to the starting XI with a solid performance in the Gunners' 3-1 victory over Southampton. Substituted after 60 minutes, alongside Raheem Sterling for Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, Mikel Arteta was quizzed on whether the duo had staked their claim for more regular starts.

Arteta replied: "I was really happy. We made the changes, we had to make them and everybody deserves to play."

He elaborated on the tactical switch, also noting: "In the first half it could have been very different to the result we had at half-time. After that we decided to change because the energy had to be changed and we brought on three players that have the ability to do that and they really helped. I'm really pleased with everybody."

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