As the season appears set to end in disappointment, most Arsenal fans have begun to console themselves by turning their attention to the more exciting prospect of summer transfers. The Gunners 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Monday means that they now need an unlikely miracle on the final day of the season to secure Champions League football for 2022/23.
In order to finish in the top four they will need to beat Frank Lampard 's Everton side and hope that Tottenham lose to already-relegated Norwich. Mikel Arteta has tried to put a brave face on it by saying "we know that in football anything is possible," but it does seem highly likely that his side will be playing Europa League football next season.
We were at least given a showing of what that will look like as Arsenal released their brand new home kit for the upcoming 2022/23 season on Thursday. And now it seems that that new strip may have also dropped a hint on the summer transfer business that they are set to do.
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Adidas' latest effort is yet another 90s throwback that features a white collar adorned with a red lightning stripe. After months of rumours, the new strip was finally launched to the public and accompanied with a video that featured Bukayo Saka, Leah Williamson, Granit Xhaka, Vivianne Miedema, Emile Smith Rowe, Stina Blackstenius and Gabriel Martinelli.
The latter also had a big piece of news of his own with the kit launch, as it was revealed that he will be wearing a new number next season. The decision has been made from the Brazilian to switch from the No. 35 that he has worn since his arrival in 2019, to the No. 11 shirt.
The news means that the number of first team numbers in the Arsenal squad has dropped again, with only the No. 2 and No. 8 shirts available for potential new signings. That however, could be about to change.
football.london understands that Alexandre Lacazette is expected to leave the Emirates when his contract expires this summer. That would vacate the No. 9 shirt that he has worn throughout his time with the Gunners and leave it potentially open for a new arrival.
That could well be Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward currently wears the No. 9 shirt for Pep Guardiola 's side, and football.london understands Arsenal are very keen on bringing him to the Emirates, with Edu having held talks with his agent as far back as November last year.
Interestingly enough, City did a kit launch of their own for the upcoming 2022/23 season on Thursday as well. The new blue home shirt was also released with a video that featured several first team players like Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ederson, Riyad Mahrez, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ruben Dias. Jesus however, was nowhere to be seen.
Arsenal have struggled for goals desperately this season with Lacazette, Martinelli, and Eddie Nketiah having managed to score just seven between them in 2022. Jesus alone has matched that tally, despite making just 10 starts, and would clearly be a welcome addition to Arteta's squad.
