Gabriel Jesus’ ambition to remain at Arsenal and fight for his place in the first team has been approved by Mikel Arteta, who has revealed his final transfer plan.
In light of injury concerns, the £65million arrival of Kai Havertz, and reported big-money bids from Saudi Arabia, Jesus’ two-year spell in north London was thought to be ending this summer.
However, the 27-year- old supposedly came into this campaign with the mindset that he would fight for first-team minutes under Arteta, and his determination looks to have paid off.
Jesus was trusted to see out the Gunners’ 2-0 opening-day home win against Gary O’Neil’s Wolves, and it was revealed after the match that the Brazilian is part of Arteta’s title-challenging plans, with a new striker seemingly not on the agenda.
Arsenal’s marksman is ready to fight for his first- team place at the Emirates, irrespective of rumoured £60m bids from Saudi Pro League clubs.
“I have faith in [Havertz], we have faith in [Gabriel Jesus], Leandro [Trossard] has played in that position,” Arteta told talkSPORT after a Wolves victory, which saw preferred frontman Havertz score the opener.
“So we have different qualities in there, and the best thing we can do is trust our players and try to improve them. They are so good and so willing and that’s what we focus on.