Arsenal's Jesus 'wants to play as a striker' following £45m move

‘I’m a No 9!’: Gabriel Jesus sends clear message to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta that he wants to play as a striker and not on the wing after his £45m move – even though he says he ‘can play three or four positions’ in the front line

  • Gabriel Jesus won eight major trophies in six seasons with Manchester City
  • He scored 95 goals despite Sergio Aguero’s presence for most of his time there
  • Mikel Arteta has signed the Brazil forward after Alexandre Lacazette’s departure
  • Jesus will now compete with Eddie Nketiah for the Gunners’ striker spot 

Arsenal’s latest signing Gabriel Jesus has said he is keen to establish himself as a striker at the Emirates, in a clear message to his new manager Mikel Arteta.

Having been heavily linked with North London since April, Jesus finally made the switch from Manchester City on Monday, signing for £45million on a five-year contract.

The 25-year-old spent six seasons at City, winning four Premier League titles, three EFL Cups and an FA Cup but has now taken the No 9 shirt with the Gunners.

Gabriel Jesus has signed for Arsenal from Manchester City for £45m on a five-year contract

The Brazil international won eight major trophies and scored 95 goals in six seasons with City

He scored 95 goals in 236 games for City despite sitting behind Sergio Aguero in the pecking order for much of his time at the club, and being shifted across the forward line by boss Pep Guardiola.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, Jesus said: ‘I’m a No 9! I’m a striker, you know.

‘I’m so glad and I thank God every day that I can be alive, and that I can play in three or four different positions, but I think my position is nine.’ 

It will be good news for Arsenal fans after the departures of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the past year.

The Gunners’ showed attacking promise from midfield last season as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe scored a combined 28 Premier League goals.  

They struggled to find regular goals from a striker, though. Aubameyang, Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah scored just 13 league goals between them.

The lack of a prolific striker proved costly as Arsenal fell behind north London rivals Tottenham in the race for fourth place. Spurs finished the season with a much better goal difference (+29 to Arsenal’s +13) after 40 goals from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Mikel Arteta worked with Jesus at Man City in his time as assistant coach to Pep Guardiola

Nketiah did continue to show promise, and will compete with Jesus for Arsenal’s striker spot after signing a five-year deal last month.

The Brazil international has worked with Arteta before during the Spaniard’s time as assistant coach at City.

Arteta will be hoping to get the best out of his new forward as they gun for a return to Champions League football.




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