Tim Vickery has warned Arsenal that they need to be ‘very, very clear’ about what they are buying if they complete the transfer of Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal, as he told Sky Sports News (19/06/22 at 2:40 pm).
The South American football expert added that Jesus is at the stage of his career where people are questioning ‘what are you?’ in regards to if he is a centre-forward or a wide player.
When the Brazil international initially moved to Manchester City in 2016, he joined as an out-and-out striker and someone who was possibly seen as the replacement for Sergio Aguero.
Whilst Jesus has had a successful time at the Etihad, including winning four Premier League titles, when it comes to goals, he probably hasn’t hit the heights many expected, with Pep Guardiola using him as a wide player on many occasions.
Tim Vickery highlighted how Jesus has been left ‘traumatised to this day’ after playing as a centre-forward for Brazil at the World Cup in 2018, but not scoring and how Arsenal need to make sure what they are buying.
“He was Brazil’s centre-forward in Russia four years ago,” said Vickery. “And he didn’t score a goal. That’s a trauma for him, to this day.
“Ever since then there has been this question mark. ‘What are you? Are you a centre-forward or do you want to play wide?’. I had a chat about him with Brazil’s coach, who said after the World Cup, he asked Gabriel Jesus ‘where do you want to play?’.
“Jesus said ‘I don’t mind’. The coach said ‘well, clearly you do mind. Clearly, you have a preference. Tell me where it is that you want to play?’. And he said a little bit sheepishly, ‘I would rather go wide’. And since then, Brazil haven’t really used him as a centre-forward.
“There has been a sense that he has been running away from that centre-forward position and perhaps running away from comparisons with Aguero as well.
“So, what are Arsenal buying? This needs to be very, very clear. What are they buying? Where is he going to play? And where he is going to fit into their system of play? You do wonder if he lacks penalty area presence.”
SURELY JESUS WILL BE PURCHASED TO PLAY AS A NUMBER NINE?
Arsenal need a number nine, with Alexandre Lacazette officially leaving at the end of June, it leaves Mikel Arteta with only Eddie Nketiah to pick from.
Whilst Jesus’ versatility will be very useful to Arteta, the main reason why the Manchester City star will swap the Etihad for the Emirates is to play as an out-and-out striker.
But if the player himself has previously shied away from that role, then will Arsenal need to fish the market for ANOTHER striker on top of Jesus?
Well, only time will tell, as the Gunners are pretty keen to bring his £50 million talents to England’s capital this summer.
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