Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta alnogside Andrea Berta
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 18 September 2025 9:19, UK
Mikel Arteta is prepared to cut fringe players from his squad ahead of the January transfer window in a bid to raise funds for reinvestment.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Arteta is keen to refresh the depth in his squad in 2026.
Jesus has been sidelined with a long-term injury after he ruptured his cruciate ligament during a defeat to Man United in January, and may not return until December.
Interest in a summer transfer never materialised as a result of his injury, despite clubs in Brazil plotting moves to sign Jesus and bring him back to his home country.
However, Football Insider revealed on 9 September that Arsenal will consider selling Jesus in the mid-season window as he no longer has a role in their squad.
Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal
Credit: Imago
Gabriel Jesus closing in on Arsenal exit
Brown told Football Insider in July that Arsenal were assessing potential destinations for Jesus after they completed their big-money deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Gunners are still planning to accept offers for the forward in January.
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“I thought Jesus would have gone during the summer,” he told Football Insider.
“Obviously the reason he didn’t was the injury he’s been recovering from, clubs decided they would be better off waiting until he was back fit before making a move.
“He’s done a good job when he’s been in the Arsenal team, but it feels like he’s never been able to consistently nail down a place in the starting XI.
“When you see how Gyokeres has hit the ground running with a few goals already, it’s going to be hard for Jesus to get back in the team.
“He isn’t an out-and-out striker like he is, so it’s difficult to see where he fits in the manager’s plans.
“Now that they’ve got Gyokeres there and Havertz to come back as well, it doesn’t feel like there’s a place for him in the side.
“I expect they’ll be wanting to accept offers in January, because Arteta doesn’t see him as part of his plans and he’s going to want to play regular football.
“I hear they’re ready to let him go and I expect he’ll make that move in January if the right offer comes in for him.”
While the Brazil striker enjoyed something of a resurgence before his injury last season, it now seems the squad have moved on without him.
Mikel Arteta sets new transfer plan at Arsenal
Brown told Football Insider on 11 September that Arsenal are working to identify targets for January, with Arteta looking to refresh his squad depth.
Leandro Trossard is one player who has been earmarked for replacing, despite his important role from the bench and having agreed a new deal in the summer.
Now, Jesus, whom his former Arsenal and Man City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko once labelled “incredible” [via Goal], is now far down the pecking order.
Mikel Arteta looks on from the touchline
Credit: Imago
Following the arrival of Gyokeres and expected return of Kai Havertz, the Brazil international is no longer a part of the long-term plans at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Brown first told Football Insider in September 2024 that Arsenal are looking to improve their depth amid injury concerns surrounding Martin Odegaard and William Saliba.
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