Mikel Arteta may have to rethink his plans for Gabriel Jesus as Arsenal could find that their transfer market hopes are dashed this summer.
Arsenal are plotting to reshape their attacking contingent in the upcoming summer transfer window.
There is certainly an argument that a new striker ought to be near the top of the Gunners’ shopping list. Whilst Kai Havertz has shone at the top of the pitch in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta’s options beyond the German at the moment are uninspiring.
Leandro Trossard can operate centrally, but is preferred on the left flank. Meanwhile, Arteta seems to have lost all faith in Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal are now hoping to cash-in on Nketiah in order to raise transfer funds.
Finally, there is Gabriel Jesus, who was the club’s first-choice pick to spearhead the attack at the start of the campaign. However, the Brazilian has once again faced injury issues and has endured a dreadful season in front of goal. He has netted just four times in the Premier League, having made 24 appearances in the competition.
The Arsenal plan for Gabriel Jesus
There can be no doubting the 27-year-old’s quality. He boasts tremendous technical ability, dazzles with his flair, and presses opposition players relentlessly.
The former Manchester City man has never been the most prolific forward either, but Arteta will still have expected a better return from him this season than this.
The lack of goals is a problem that can’t be overlooked by a side with real title winning ambitions. Perhaps even more troubling are the injury issues that have plagued him since he damaged his knee at the 2022 World Cup.
It was recently revealed that Arsenal are now open to offers on Jesus. A big part in the North London club’s willingness to part ways with the player is a concern that he will never be able to fully return to the levels he reached prior to his injury.
However, this creates another problem. With the extent of the damage to the player’s knee now publicly known, why would a buyer come forward? Arsenal would expect a decent offer for a player they paid £45 million to sign in the summer of 2022, and he is also currently earning £265,000-a-week on a contract that is not set to expire until 2027.
Why Arsenal and Mikel Arteta must change their thinking about Gabriel Jesus
Given the financial package involved, and his fitness record, Arsenal will struggle to find a buyer for Jesus. Therefore, if this proves to be the case, Arteta must find a way to make use of the player, even if it seems he is no longer the best choice to lead the line.
The 64-cap Brazil international is also able to operate on either flank, and has been used out wide a number of times in recent weeks. This could be the salvation of his Arsenal career. The Gunners currently lack adequate cover for Bukayo Saka. Jesus could provide that, and he has the skillset to thrive in that role, where his poor finishing may also prove less of an issue.
Arteta will still hope that Jesus is able to get back to his very best in time, until then though, he can be redefined as a winger and still make a valuable contribution to the cause.