Micah Richards and Robbie Keane both agree that Arsenal target Gabriel Jesus has a killer 'instinct' to get into goalscoring positions.
As previously reported, the Gunners will target two centre-forwards this summer. football.london understands that Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and Roma frontman Tammy Abraham are among the shortlisted profiles who could arrive at Emirates Stadium. Jesus in particular remains open to leaving the current Premier League champions, with his representative reportedly holding talks with Edu throughout the past few months.
Arsenal first made enquiries for the Brazilian in November, with Edu maintaining a close relationship with the player's agent and the City forward himself. Jesus could get more minutes between now and the end of the season as City look to retain their Premier League title, with the Gunners expected to lodge a bid in the region of £35million this summer.
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But Richards thinks that City should hold onto Jesus, even if Erling Haaland joins them as expected. "You've got to play players in form and he looks the one now that’s going to score. I’d play him through the centre," he said live on Sky Sports.
"If Haaland comes, it’s a different proposition. There’s been rumours of Jesus potentially leaving, but you can’t sell him. Not just because he’s playing well now, because any role of the team. Give him a chance up front and he’s taken his chance. Haaland is still Halaand, but I would keep him."
Keane went onto add to the discussion, as he said: "He’s the only one in the team that has that [instinct]. When you’re playing with players like Foden and De Bruyne, that can set you up, you’re getting four or five chances a game, someone like him takes them. He’s really stepped up.
"It’s good now that he’s getting credit. He’s been a utility player. At the business end of the season is where you want to have your best games and now, he’s showing everyone what he can do."
Richards then explained that his natural instinct to get into good positions can help the Cityzens - or Arsenal, if Edu can complete the signing for the club - moving forward. He added: "I believe, when you’re a striker, you have that instinct. Sometimes when you play a false 9, it looks pretty and players are getting into great positions, but they don’t have that strikers instinct. He’s got that."
