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Pundit Noel Whelan has backed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus to shine at Arsenal as the Manchester City closes in on a move to the Emirates.
The former Palmeiras forward has reportedly completed his medical as the Gunners close in on a £45m move.
The 25-year-old Brazil forward has been the subject of interest from a number of clubs, both in the Premier League and in Europe, but has opted to join his old boss Mikel Arteta in North London.
Jesus has gone on to make 236 appearances and scored 95 goals for the English top-flight champions since moving from Palmeiras in January 2017.
He has won four Premier League titles during his time at Etihad Stadium, plus three League Cups and an FA Cup.
The Sao Paulo-born ace could well have found his playing time limited next season after City signed Norway forward Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
Jesus has indeed been utilised in a variety of positions under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, but Whelan insists that Arteta will be looking to get the best out of him at no.9.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said:
“If Jesus is going to be playing through the middle for Arsenal, it could be that he is asked to play a slightly different role for Arteta.
“I think he’ll be looked at as a number nine. Arteta won’t want him drifting into the wide areas or into that number ten role.
“If you’re going to go out and buy a player like Gabriel Jesus, you need him running off the shoulder of defenders. That’s where we’ve seen him score so many goals – just by being in that six-yard box.
“It’ll be a different role than what we’ve seen the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette do in the past.”
Our thoughts on Whelan’s comments…
Despite his usefulness out wide for Manchester City, we do agree with Whelan’s assessment that the Brazilian hitman will be played at no.9 for Arsenal using his incredible final third gifts, link-up play and ability to operate outside the box as a crucial tool for Arteta to get the best out of his attacking quartet.
The forward would be the number one striker at the Emirates and has proven himself to be a top forward in the top-flight with 58 goals and 32 assists in 159 appearances, despite not being Guardiola’s main man.
If the Spaniard can continue to mould and improve Jesus’ game within his natural habitat then the Gunners faithful could well see them possess one of the most deadly forwards they’ve had since the days of Robin Van Persie and Thierry Henry.
