There is a lot riding on who Arsenal decide to fulfil their striking void this summer. The position needs to ensure that Mikel Arteta gets the upgrade on the position that he craves.
Of all the players linked with the Arsenal role, it appears that there is one standout candidate. football.london understands that Gabriel Jesus is one of the primary options.
David Ornstein of the Athletic furthered this by labelling both the Brazilian and the renewal of Eddie Nketiah’s contract as the ‘priority’ for the summer. Jesus has split the fan base and there are plenty of supporters not entirely sold on the idea.
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Whilst others believe that the City forward would give the Gunners the upgrade they need, it is a lack of consistent clinical finishing that worries the doubters. However, based on what his current manager has to say about him, perhaps they will be proven wrong.
“If one person, one player deserves the best, it is Gabriel,” said Pep Guardiola after Jesus scored in a 1-0 win over Chelsea. “He runs for everyone and when he scores, I am the happiest man. He can play in the three positions upfront, and he does it really well.”
He continued and provided the Brazilian with quite the compliment. Considering the signings made during the Spaniard’s tenure, to describe Jesus as ‘one of the best’ is high praise indeed.
“We know from the past in the duels how aggressive they are, but you have to handle it at this level,” said Pep. “Gabriel goes down, gets up and tries again. He’s a young player and one of the best signings we have done in this period together.”
Mikel Arteta has loved the qualities of Nketiah in the run-in to the end of the season. One of them in particular is the energy that he brings to the side. Something Alexandre Lacazette struggled to add when he was given the nod in the early part of 2022.
As Guardiola says, Jesus is certainly one to bring that energy that his former assistant coach is demanding of his Arsenal team. Ultimately, should Arteta get the players he wants, then this will only be for the betterment of the club.
Based on the majority of the business conducted by Arteta and the wider recruitment team during his tenure, the success rate has been on the up. Successes with players such as Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White represent a large percentage of the moves made.
There is still time for Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga to prove their potential too. Considering the mistakes of the £800m-plus spent since 2007 prior to Arteta’s appointment, it is a startling difference.
Jesus would become the first striker signed under Arteta and he will hope his experience of working with the Brazilian, and the approval of Guardiola will precede a successful stint with the Gunners. Should it not, it could be his downfall. No pressure then.
