Crystal Palace player says Arsenal player has been the most challenging opponent he has faced.

Maxence Lacroix, a talented defender for Crystal Palace, recently shared his thoughts on the toughest opponent he has faced on the field. Despite going head to head with some of Europe's best strikers such as Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, and Ollie Watkins, Lacroix surprisingly named Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus as the most difficult player to defend against.

Lacroix, who has been a key player for Palace this season with 26 appearances, was brought to the team by manager Oliver Glasner, who previously worked with him at Wolfsburg. The 24-year-old Frenchman joined the Eagles last summer in a deal worth £18m. Throughout the season, Lacroix has faced tough challenges from top strikers, but it was Jesus' movements and skills that gave him the most trouble.

Despite admiring the strength of players like Haaland, Lacroix does not particularly enjoy facing those who run a lot on the field. Jesus, on the other hand, has proven to be a formidable opponent with his ability to outmaneuver defenders and score goals. The Brazilian forward notably scored a hat-trick against Crystal Palace in December and followed it up with two more goals in their next encounter.

Unfortunately, Jesus' season came to an abrupt end when he suffered an ACL injury in a FA Cup match against Manchester United last month. This was a big blow for Arsenal, who had decided not to sign a new striker during the January transfer window. The team was hit with another injury setback when Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with only three recognized forwards.

Despite these challenges, Arsenal remains determined to catch up to Premier League leaders Liverpool, who currently hold an eight-point lead at the top of the table. With a game in hand, the Gunners have a chance to close the gap, but they face a tough test against London rivals West Ham this weekend. Meanwhile, Liverpool will face struggling Manchester City in their upcoming match.

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