Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are on the lookout for a striker this summer. With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah's contracts expiring in the coming months, the end of the season presents the Gunners with a challenge.
Discussing his transfer plans for the summer, the Spaniard said: "Now is the moment we have to raise the quality. We need one who puts the ball in the net, that's priority number one. Any successful team needs enough goal threat in the squad."
A number of players have been linked with a move, including the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Darwin Nunez, Alexander Isak and Jonathan David. And now, the latest player to join that list is Manchester City's, Gabriel Jesus.
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The Brazilian is a free agent in 2023 and is said to be eyeing a place in the Brazil squad for the Qatar World Cup later this year. That could mean he needs more game time than he currently gets at the Etihad Stadium, though he is off the back of scoring four times against Watford as well as a solitary goal against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Speaking on BT Sport, manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that the forward is “reliable” amid his Arsenal links: “It is hard to drop him after scoring four goals. It is not just about the four goals, Gabriel (Jesus) is so reliable for many different things, not just scoring goals.”
That is something that former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand agreed with, claiming Jesus is hard-working: “I think he (Jesus) falls into the category of where some fans think he is not a number nine for Manchester City, but I guarantee if you ask all the players in that City dressing room and asked would you have him in their team, of course, you would. He works hard, he is committed, he scores goals and drags players out to create space for other players.”
It is the profile of a forward that could easily slip into the Arteta style, with the rest of his team modelled around a similar ethos. Working hard but having the freedom in the system too.
It could show why the Spaniard wants to bring the striker in, having worked with him during his time as an assistant coach at City.
