Mikel Arteta Could Be A Reason To Attract Star Brazilian Forward At Arsenal

Premier League giants continue to link up with a number of strikers ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. Arsenal is already showing interest in some big-name forward players despite failing to qualify for the European competition next season.

It will be a tough task for manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu to convince some players on their wishlist without Champions League football. This January, they lost their key forward target Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus for the same reason. Arsenal are now linked with Victor Osimhen, Alvaro Morata, and former winger Serge Gnabry this week but remain in the hunt for Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus.

The Gunners were forced to sell their former regular number nine Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this January. The 31-year-old French forward Alexandre Lacazette is also leaving next month on a free transfer. Arsenal has Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli in their ranks but they need an immediate update to return to Champions League football.

The 25-year-old Manchester City striker has the ability to play regular first-team football at the highest level possible. Jesus has always struggled to keep up his place in starting eleven since the arrival of manager Pep Guardiola at Etihad five years ago. He scored 8 league goals and provided 8 assists from just 28 appearances this season. Jesus has always been a consistent scorer for the Citizens and the Brazilian national team and deserves a regular first-team football with a big European team.

Gabriel Jesus To Consider Arsenal Approach Because of Mikel Arteta?

The former Palmeiras forward arrived at Etihad in 2017 but has made only 159 appearances, most of them coming from the bench. Jesus has also featured for the Brazilian team 55 times and has scored 18 goals. He played a deputy role to former Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero but things didn’t improve after the departure of Argentine last season.

Jesus enjoyed some good regular football at the end of this season but Manchester City recently announced the signing of Erling Haaland for the next summer. Haaland is currently one of the best strikers in the world and will play in number nine roles at Etihad. Jesus is aware of this situation and the Athletic reports that the player has decided to leave Manchester City for regular first-team football.

The Gunners are keeping tabs on all the transfer activity regarding the Brazilian footballer. Jesus has only a year left on his current contract and the club is likely to sell him this summer despite losing him on a free transfer next season. Jesus is likely to attract a lot of suitors for his signatures but according to a reputable journalist, Pete O’Rourke, the player will be interested to work under the management of Mikel Arteta.

“I think the opportunity to work under Mikel Arteta again would be a big factor in any decision from Jesus and there’s quite a few Brazilian players at Arsenal as well, which would maybe make it easier for him to settle in if he were to leave the Etihad for the Emirates.

“Arsenal are going the right way under Mikel Arteta, I think it’s fair to say, so I’m sure it’s something that he would definitely consider if Arsenal do follow up their interest.” – Pete O’Rourke on Arsenal and Gabriel Jesus.

Arteta started his managerial career as assistant coach under Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and that could help Arsenal sign Jesus. Arteta has developed a regular starting eleven this season but is only missing a striker. Jesus will fancy playing under the management of Arteta with regular first-team football next season.