Arsenal have completed their fourth signing of the summer transfer window following the arrival of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
The 25-year-old joins the Gunners in a £45m deal which will seem him reunite with former Citizens assistant manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal’s new number nine, who spent five-and-a-half years at the Etihad following his arrival from Palmeiras, joins Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and fellow Brazilian Marquinhos as new Gunners players.
The 56-time Brazil international, who won four Premier Leagues, four League Cups and the FA Cup during his time with Pep Guardiola, scored 95 goals from 236 games for the reigning Premier League champions.
But while Jesus was often a starter in City’s big games, Guardiola often played the Brazilian out wide.
But with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang no longer in north London, Jesus could thrive in being a first choice out and out number nine.
After being pipped to Champions League qualification by fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arteta has set about bolstering his squad in several positions.
With Jesus’ arrival confirmed, HITC Sport takes a look at Arsenal’s potential 22/23 XI.
Arsenal’s 22/23 XI
After a solid first season, following his £30m arrival from Sheffield United, which brought 12 Premier League clean sheets – Ramsdale will be hoping to kick on and impress ahead of this winter’s World Cup.
With Nick Pope, Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson all vying for spots in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad, Ramsdale will need to be at the top of his game for Arteta’s men to be assured of a place in Qatar.
Arteta will be hoping that full-backs Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu can stay fit for the entirety of next season.
When the pair are fit and available, the Gunners’ defence is a more robust solid unit and the duo also contribute to Arsenal’s attacking phases of play with their willingness and desire to get forward.
Similar to Ramsdale, last summer’s £50m arrival will be hoping to have a solid start to the campaign for club and country with spaces at the heart of Southgate’s defence up for grabs.
The former Brighton star could well have another defensive partner alongside him for next season. After being accustomed to playing alongside Brazilian Gabriel, Arteta is chasing fellow South American Lisandro Martinez Ajax.
The versatile defender can play at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfielder. The Gunners are seemingly in a two-horse race with Manchester United to sign the seven-time Argentina international.
The Mail reports that an offer of £43m could be enough to land the Ajax star, but with Erik ten Hag keen to reunite with his former charge, Arsenal will be hoping to convince Martinez that the Emirates Stadium is the best move for him.
Arteta could unleash a dynamic midfield trio of Fabio Vieira, Martin Odegaard and Youri Tielemans if Arsenal manage to land the talented Belgian from Leicester City.
The former Monaco man’s contract at the King Power Stadium expires in 12 months time and Arsenal are keen to bring the midfield technician to north London.
It has been reported that Arsenal have agreed terms with Tielemans and with Jesus now being unveiled as a new player, the club’s focus could now switch to securing the services of the Belgium international.
Jesus could join Bukayo Saka and Gabrielle Martinelli in a talented forward line. But Arteta will be hoping that the arrival of Jesus brings an injection of goals.
The Spaniard relied on his younger players for goals last season, with Saka Arsenal’s leading scorer with 12, and fellow England international Emile Smith Rowe adding 11.
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