Paul Dickov has claimed that Arsenal summer transfer target, Gabriel Jesus, is a ‘fantastic talent’, as the Manchester City legend told the Football Show.
Mikel Arteta is searching for that all-important number nine for Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window re-opening and he could reunite with Jesus if he gets his way.
With the Arsenal boss keen to sign up the 25-year-old from the Premier League champions, there are also suggestions he would be interested in a move.
Signed up for £27 million (Sky Sports) in 2016 as a fresh-faced teenager from Palmeiras, the previously unknown figure has notched up 57 goals in 155 Premier League matches.
Quite a number of them are out of position, coming off the bench and not even being on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes.
Nonetheless, this is what Dickov had to say about the talent at Jesus’ boots amid those Arsenal rumours.
“The biggest thing is how he presses from the front,” said Dickov.
“Pep Guardiola has gone on record in saying, he thinks he is ‘one of the best forward players in pressing in the world’, which is a big, big thing to say.
“Gabriel Jesus, alongside his goals, in big games, recently he came in against Liverpool. Games last season. A lot of the big games Man City play in, Jesus if he’s fit, then he starts.
“That’s purely because of how good he is. We all know his goals and the fantastic talent he has got. But at how good he is in setting the press for the team.”
The fact that Arteta has worked with Jesus before is a big plus in his quest to sign the versatile forward.
The Arsenal boss is aware, with Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette out-of-contract in the summer, he might need more than just one number nine for next season.
A player like Jesus would suit Arsenal’s style and would be an upgrade on what the club already have.
Plus, as mentioned above, Arteta could fit Jesus in a lot smoother than others because of their previous relationship.
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