Arsenal have signed Eddie Nketiah to a long-term contract, but they are still looking to add talent in attack, with Gabriel Jesus clearly on their radar this summer.
Arsenal is interested in Gabriel Jesus.
Despite Eddie Nketiah's commitment to the Gunners, Arsenal will not relent in their pursuit of Gabriel Jesus.
The 23-year-old forward's contract was set to expire this summer, but he has already signed a new long-term contract with the club. Following the exits of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, he and Gabriel Martinelli are the only natural No 9s in north London.
It leaves them light in the last third with Nketiah and Martinelli, both of whom are good but need experience. As a result, Mikel Arteta is looking for more firepower, with Jesus appearing to be their top target, and his days at Manchester City may be numbered with the signing of Erling Haaland.
Arteta worked with Jesus as Pep Guardiola's assistant, and the Catalan has demonstrated that the Brazilian can play in the same starting lineup as Nketiah. The Arsenal academy graduate has long played second fiddle at the Emirates, but he demonstrated his worth when given a run of starts last season.
Arsenal simply need to look at how efficient Jesus has been from a wide position over the last year to know that he and Nketiah could coexist in an offensive line. For much of the season, City operated without a recognized striker, with Jesus filling a broader position.
Last season, the Brazilian scored 13 goals in all competitions, including a four-goal haul against Watford. His most important goal of the season came in a 1-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge in September. His second-half winner came with Jesus starting on the right side of the field.
Guardiola previously stated of the Brazilian, "He's a centre forward, he can play there, but he's more comfortable when playing wide." We encourage those in positions of power to be more open and to observe the behaviors.
Arsenal also saw how effective Nketiah could be when given the opportunity to lead the line. The 23-year-old scored twice in a crucial win over Chelsea as he continued to hit the back of the net in the final weeks. Arteta was likewise eager to keep the player and couldn't speak highly enough of him when the contract was announced.
"I'm glad Eddie is sticking with us," he said on the club's website. He embodies all we stand for and all of the club's ideals. We are really pleased that he has extended his contract, and now we must go to work in order to continue developing the amazing talent and person that we have in him.
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