Gabriel Jesus has been told to turn down a potential move to Arsenal and stay at Man City in order to give himself a better chance of winning trophies.
Jesus was seen as the natural successor to lead the City frontline when Sergio Aguero departed last summer and the team failed in their pursuit of Harry Kane. However, the Brazilian has found himself watching on from the sidelines more often than not this season and when he has played, has featured largely from the wing.
As Pep Guardiola's side look to clinch back to back Premier League titles and win the UEFA Champions League for the first time, Jesus has come back into the first-team and reminded everyone how good a finisher he is. Five goals in two games, four against Watford and one against Real Madrid, has come at a time when the Gunners have been heavily linked with transfer.
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And as speculation continues to grow that City are set to sign talisman Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund to lead the line next season, Jesus' chances of regular game time at the Etihad Stadium looks slim. But for former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson, the decision to extend his stay in Manchester is an easy one there will be plenty of opportunity to feature next season with City expected to reach the latter stages in every competition they compete in.
“Gabriel Jesus should stay at Manchester City. There’s speculation about his future and people think he’s unhappy he doesn’t play enough – but he’s started 17 Premier League games this season,” Merson told the Daily Star .
“I think that’s a lot. He’s played 36 times for City this season. And started a lot of big, big games. Where is he going to go where he can do any better than that?
“Even if City sign Erling Haaland, he shouldn’t leave. No way. This is a team that is going to go deep in four competitions every year and he will always get games.
“Pep Guardiola trusts him. He misses a lot of chances but you can play him anywhere in the forward line and he always keeps trying to get in there.
“He still has a big role to play this season. I don’t think Haaland would play a huge amount more than that if he goes there.
“But it’s mind-blowing how open City were against Real Madrid. It could cost them the Champions League giving top teams so many chances like that. They were outstanding going forward. Couldn’t have played any better going forward. But still only won 4-3!”
Senior strikers Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacaezette are out of contract in the summer and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was released in January, leaving the Gunners with a gaping hole up front at the end of the season.
