Pundit hits out at Man Utd star over Jesus treatment as Arsenal ‘weak link’ is exposed

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has criticised Man Utd for their overly-physical style when dealing with Gabriel Jesus with Raphael Varane having the striker “in a headlock at one stage”.

Jesus has been in brilliant form early on in the new season for the Gunners but the Red Devils’ defence managed to keep the Brazilian off the scoresheet on Sunday as Man Utd beat Arsenal 3-1.

Many saw Mikel Arteta’s side as the better team despite defeat with Man Utd catching Arsenal out twice on the counter-attack to take the game away from the Premier League leaders.

Transfer gossip: Juventus offer ex-Prem striker in exchange for Arsenal target

But Campbell was not happy with the way Man Utd players used a WWE-style approach to stop Jesus and other Arsenal players.

Campbell told Football Insider: “The Man United players were getting physical. You could see that from the first challenge Martinez put in on Gabriel Jesus.

“I have never seen Varane be that physical with a striker. He had Jesus in a headlock at one stage. Do not get me wrong. Jesus is physical with them as well. He is very good using his body. He is strong and quick.

“McTominay was in and around Jesus as well. He got booked for something out of WWE. The treatment of Jesus was serious. It was only a matter of time before Jesus lost his head.”

Fellow Football Insider pundit, Gabby Agbonlahor, thinks Arsenal defender Ben White – who was deployed at right-back at Old Trafford – was “found out” by Man Utd during the defeat.

Agbonlahor added: “Arsenal were playing away from home against Man United, it’s never going to be an easy game.

“They did well but Man United were clever and picked on Ben White who is the weak link in that defence, he’s not a right-back, he has no pace. They targeted that side and got joy.

“It was more the fact that Man United, for me, in the full-back areas looked better defensively than Arsenal.

“Ben White was found out because he’s not a right-back. You’ve got Tomiyasu on the bench who has got more pace, why not play him? I think that was a mistake.

“Arsenal played well and will probably beat Man United at the Emirates. I feel these sorts of games now, with the top-six, home advantage is going to be key.

“After the game, [Mikel] Arteta would have said to his players ‘You know what, you’ve done me proud today. We played some good football, got found out defensively but we’ll get revenge at the Emirates when we have home advantage with our fans’.

“I wouldn’t have any disappointment if I’m Arsenal. Everton at the weekend will be a tough game though because they’re looking good as well.”