Ian Wright, a staunch supporter of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, faces the possibility of seeing Mikel Arteta part ways with the Brazilian forward.
Despite high expectations upon his arrival from Manchester City in July 2022 for a substantial £45 million, Jesus has struggled to meet the anticipated impact at the Emirates. Recently, there has been speculation about his potential departure.
Jesus has managed only 15 league goals in his two seasons with the Gunners, who have twice fallen short of surpassing Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Wright, recalling Jesus’ early days at Manchester City, praised the then 19-year-old’s decision-making and off-the-ball movement. Speaking to BT Sport in 2017 after Jesus’ goal and assist in a 4-0 victory over West Ham, Wright said, “When you watch the way he played, it was very mature, the choices he made, the runs he made. At 19, he is doing stuff I was doing when I was in my prime at 28!”
Now 27, injuries have hampered Jesus during his Arsenal tenure, and he frequently finds himself on the bench, with Chelsea’s £65 million acquisition, Kai Havertz, often preferred in the starting lineup.
In January, rumors suggested Ivan Toney as a potential Arsenal target, indicating Jesus’ decreasing importance to the first team. Additionally, strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, though costly, have been linked with possible moves to the Emirates.
If Arteta decides to sell Jesus this summer, the striker is unlikely to lack suitors, with Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly interested, according to football.london.
