Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on December 8, 2024. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has been urged to replace Gabriel Jesus after he again fired a blank in Wednesday's win over Monaco.
The striker joined the Gunners two years ago in a £45million deal from Manchester City. But he has struggled to live up to expectations at the Emirates Stadium, falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta in the process.
He has failed to register a goal in the Premier League this season, starting just two games in the top-flight. Jesus was handed a rare chance to impress on Wednesday when Monaco visited in the Champions League.
The Brazilian played for an hour and did provide the assist for Bukayo Saka's opening goal. But he failed to score from any of his three shots, leading to Gunners legend Martin Keown calling for Arteta to find an upgrade.
"We talk about Havertz and Jesus – they need to score more goals and be more ruthless," Keown told TNT Sports. "There is no doubt about it. I think they could do with that different tool in the box, that player who can find an opportunity out of nothing.
"Jesus has come with a lot of experience, he has brought a lot to the group, but he wants his goals on the pitch. He has played his part but Arsenal need that prolific goalscorer to put these opportunities away.
"It was a professional performance. There was a little drop but the manager reacted really well to that and made the subs. Really important win tonight for the momentum. Bukayo Saka is on the end of everything, he’s so important. He’s a seasoned professional already."
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Arteta has been warned that Gabriel Jesus is not up to scratch (
Image:
Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
The January transfer window will open in just under three weeks, handing Arsenal the opportunity to boost their squad. Arteta has hinted that the Gunners will be active in the market.
But before facing Monaco, he denied that Jesus' future was in doubt. Instead, the Arsenal boss backed the Brazilian to return to form quickly and bury his frustrations from the opening months of the season.
"No, no sense," Arteta said when asked if Jesus would be leaving in January. "Like all strikers, they go on phases and moments and that gap is becoming big. It’s true that obviously a lot of things has 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. The window gives us an opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel that is needed and we feel that we have the capacity to do that as well.
"We are on it and just have to assess the situation because it is changing every week. I’m positive that in a few weeks we’re going to be in a better place."
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