Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly rubbished reports that striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club in January, despite increased rumoured interest from clubs in his native Brazil.
Jesus joined Arsenal in the summer of 2022 and looked to be the start of a new era for the Gunners following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined FC Barcelona in January of the same year in a free transfer – following a less than amicable exit from the North London side.
The hope and promise that Jesus arrived with, following his £45m (€55m) transfer from Manchester City, has so far left supporters feeling very underwhelmed, which has led to rumours that he could leave the club a mere 30 months after making the switch to the capital.
Arsenal - Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus (Image credit: Getty Images)
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The Brazilian has so far netted 20 goals and contributed with 16 assists in his 87 appearances for Arteta’s Arsenal side, numbers which underwhelm given the Gunners’ recent Premier League challenges.
His more recent form, which has seen him score just a single goal since 1 February 2024 in all competitions – with this torrid run seeing him fall well down the pecking order at the club, with Kai Havertz now the unconventional first-choice striker for the North London giants.
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With Jesus lacking form and playing time, rumours have swirled in recent months that a return to his native Brazil could be on the cards – with interest from numerous clubs widely reported.
Although, speaking in his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s game against AS Monaco, Arteta has sought to rubbish these reports, saying: “No, [it is] nonsense […] Like all strikers, they go on phases and moments and that gap is becoming big.
“It’s true that obviously a lot of things have happened, injuries, absences of not playing or starting games that much but his attitude has been really good, it always is, and we’re going to try to help him overcome the situation as soon as possible. ”
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