How Arsenal could line-up next season as Gabriel Jesus agrees Gunners transfer

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Mikel Arteta has reportedly secured the final piece of his Arsenal puzzle with the imminent arrival of striker Gabriel Jesus.

The Brazil international has, according to The Guardian, agreed personal terms with the Gunners on a five-year deal. Manchester City will receive £45million for the services of Jesus, who scored eight in 28 Premier League appearances last season.

Jesus is set to be Areta’s first-choice striker at the Emirates Stadium following the departures of Alexandre Lacazette, this summer, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in January. But the 25-year-old isn’t Arsenal’s first signing of the summer that is expected to become a key figure at the club, and it is unlikely he will be the last.

The club are expected to push on with their pursuit of Leeds winger Raphinha next week after already having a bid rejected for the forward. He was one of the Whites’ saving graces last season and valued at approximately £65million.

But Arsenal aren’t the only side keen on Raphinha, with Tottenham and Chelsea also both holding an interest in the former Rennes star. Barcelona have also been fairly public in their admiration of the winger, though whether they have the finances to table an offer in the near future remains to be seen.

If Raphinha arrives at the Emirates Stadium, it is likely that he or Bukayo Saka will be pushed onto the left-wing in order to fit both into the side. Though Gabriel Martinelli will be keen to stake his claim for a spot in the starting eleven and complete an all-Brazilian strike force.

The Gunners recently strengthened their options in midfield by signing Fabio Vieira recently from FC Porto. The Portuguese playmaker scored six and assisted 14 in 27 league appearances last season which captured the attention of several top European sides, though Arsenal managed to strike a £34m deal for the 22-year-old.

Vieira is likely to slot into the Arsenal midfield alongside Thomas Partey, which would justify why the club have reportedly cooled their interest in Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans. Granit Xhaka is, of course, in the picture – as well as youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga.

After last summer’s spending spree, Arteta is unlikely to reshape his defence too drastically over the coming months, though he will be keen to stress to William Saliba – returning from his loan spell – at Marseille that he is part of his plans. According to the Express, the defender wants assurances about his playing time as he is willing to move elsewhere in order to give himself the best possible chance of being included in France’s squad for the World Cup.

• Arsenal FC
• Mikel Arteta
• Premier League

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