After disclosing his final transfer intention, Mikel Arteta gave his blessing to Gabriel Jesus’ desire to stay at Arsenal and compete for a spot in the first squad.
With injury problems, Kai Havertz’s £65 million arrival, and rumoured big-money bids from Saudi Arabia, it was believed that Jesus’ two-year stay in north London would come to an end this summer.
But the 27-year-old reportedly entered this campaign determined to compete for first-team playing time under Arteta, and it appears that his perseverance has 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.
