Arsenal captured the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, and he has been a revelation in the early stages of his Gunners career. The Brazilian has scored seven goals in his first five preseason games with the club.
Mikel Arteta has been utilising Jesus as a striker throughout pre-season. However, his recent comments about the new signing suggests that he also wants to use him in a different role in the wing position throughout the season.
But for the Spaniard to unlock this option another forward must be signed to provide depth alongside Eddie Nketiah. The Gunners have been given a cheap chance to do this by signing Memphis Depay from Barcelona.
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Speaking about Jesus, Arteta said: “His versatility is well known. Now we are using him as a nine, he can play as a winger, off the left and the right. You can play with two strikers as we have done in pre-season as and change the shape a little bit. He gives us a lot of flexibility.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are in talks with Depay’s lawyers to allow him to become a free agent. He is ready to leave if he can find a top new club.
Two months ago Spanish outlet Fichajes reported that the Gunners are looking at making a move for Barcelona forward Depay. The Dutchman has fallen out of favour at Camp Nou since Xavi took control of the club.
Depay had a failed spell in the Premier League at Manchester United, but he has since then grown as a player and has matured which has allowed him to occupy the striker role. Since leaving the Red Devils, the Dutchman scored 76 goals for the French side Lyon, and 10 goals in 30 appearances for Barcelona.
Depay would be a good signing for Arsenal, but as a winger or secondary forward, as a more potent striker will also need to be signed in the summer. And this seems to be Edu’s thinking with Arsenal’s capture of Jesus.
Despite Jesus’ arrival, Edu still needs to add more firepower to Arteta’s options in the summer transfer window. Eddie Nketiah and Jesus will need more goal support throughout the season from different areas of the pitch.
Depay has utilised more down the middle during the later years of his career but he still has the pace to be a threat in the wide areas. He would be a useful option for Arsenal especially when you take into consideration that he could reportedly be available for a free transfer.
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