Gabriel Jesus has been advised to ‘sit and wait’ at Manchester City amid rumours Arsenal want to sign him this summer, as Craig Burley told ESPN.
The former Scotland international stated that Arsenal are a ‘long way off’ from competing for major honours.
The Gunners missed out on Champions League football on the last day of the Premier League season, as their wait to return to football’s elite competition goes on.
Despite that, it hasn’t stopped Mikel Arteta from wanting to sign the elite stars, with Jesus’ name popping up on Arsenal’s transfer radar this summer.
The £50 million star is out-of-contract at Manchester City next summer and Burley thinks that’s when he can probably get better options.
On Arsenal fitting Jesus: “It’s a difficult one,” said Burley. “They need to get players in that are going to fill that position, that’s for sure.
“They have got some youngsters that have filled the wider positions and Odegaard behind.
“If I was Jesus, I think I would be inclined to sit and wait, especially with a year left (on his contract). And see what comes along.
“Now, whether or not Man City dissuade him from doing that, by suggesting there won’t be many minutes of game time, that is a ploy that could be used.
“It’s a difficult one for the player. He’s good enough to go somewhere and become this striker again – it’s whether he can persuade him to go to Arsenal where, is it all about the project? Arsenal are long off challenging for major honours.”
ARSENAL NEED JESUS MORE THAN HE NEEDS THEM
Jesus is still picked in the big games by Pep Guardiola, his game has grown over the years, as well as the ability to play across the front three.
He just won his fourth Premier League crown, and in terms of success, he is in the best place.
However, the arrival of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez next season might change that, regarding his playing time.
But Arsenal still need the Brazil striker more than he needs them because Arteta needs to fill his number nine slot, regardless, whereas Jesus doesn’t need to leave the Etihad this summer.
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