Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move away from Arsenal despite returning from a long injury lay-off to play a part in the Gunners' Premier League win over Wolves
Mikel Arteta giving instructions to Gabriel Jesus
Mikel Arteta giving instructions to Gabriel Jesus(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus hasn't ruled out a return to Brazil at some point. For now, though, the South American is determined to remain at the Emirates Stadium to finish what he started.
Jesus, 28, won four Premier League titles with Manchester City before joining Arsenal in 2022. The Gunners finished second in each of his three full seasons in North London but sit top of the pile at the time of writing.
The forward has struggled with injuries during his time in the capital, playing just 98 times in three-and-a-half years. This has prompted speculation he might return to boyhood club Palmeiras, but that doesn't look like happening any time soon.
"People have asked, 'Why don’t you just leave? Why don’t you go to Saudi? Or back home to Brazil?' Jesus wrote for The Players' Tribune. "One day, I would love for everything to come full circle with Palmeiras, but not today.
"I feel that I have unfinished business at Arsenal. I don’t want to leave. When I came here to join Mikel [Arteta], my purpose was not only to score goals. My purpose was to win titles."
He continued: "When I came to the Premier League, I think most people’s reaction was, 'Oh? Who is this kid?' They looked at me as a pure goalscorer. But that’s not how I see myself. My strongest trait is that I will do whatever it takes to help the team win titles.
"At City, I played many roles. I shared the goal scoring load with [Sergio] Agüero sometimes. Other times, I played out on the wing. And other times, I used my physicality to link up play. I think that’s why Mikel brought me here, years ago. I don’t always need to be the number 9 to help the team.
"I am not still here for the weather, eh? I am here to make history."
Gabriel Jesus during Arsenal's win against Wolves
Gabriel Jesus during Arsenal's win against Wolves
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Jesus suffered an ACL injury back in January when Arsenal faced Manchester United in the FA Cup and has only just returned to action. He played a part in last weekend's winner against Wolves, challenging Yerson Mosquera as the defender headed into his own net, but manager Mikel Arteta hinted midfielder Mikel Merino could be chosen to lead the line against Everton on Sunday.
"He is an option and he has give us every reason as well to consider him in a really serious way. You look at the goals he has scored," Arteta told reporters on Friday. Merino started on the bench against Wolves before coming on in midfield, with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres starting up front and Jesus replacing the Swede late on.
Arsenal could go into Saturday's trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium in second place. Title rivals Manchester City play earlier on Saturday, with West Ham United the visitors to the Etihad Stadium.
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