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Kevin Campbell has stated that Arsenal target Gabriel Jesus could be classed as a world-class striker, and has suggested that he is the is the best pressing forward in the world.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to north London in recent weeks following the arrival of Erling Haaland at Manchester City.
As per Fabrizio Romano, it is clear that the 25-year-old has asked to leave the Sky Blues this summer to seek out regular game time elsewhere.
Marcelo Pettinati, his agent confirmed that talks had already been held with Arsenal, and it is said that they are interested in the ‘project’ under Mikel Arteta.
The Evening Standard provided an update on Jesus’ situation, claiming the Gunners will ‘step up their pursuit’ of the versatile star after manager Mikel Arteta identified him as his top forward transfer target.
Reports have also claimed that Arsenal are quietly confident about signing the £51 million-rated star with personal terms all but agreed with Jesus, according to The Athletic reporter David Ornstein.
Campbell certainly believes that it would be a real coup for Arsenal to get the Brazilian. In fact, the former Gunners star suggested that Edu could hardly do any better in giving Arteta what he is desperately looking for.
“He’s young, he’s fit, he’s a Brazil international. You could say he’s world-class because he plays for Brazil. He starts up front. So on the world stage, he starts for Brazil, although we know for Manchester City, he doesn’t start as much as he would like,” he told Highbury Squad.
“But I tell you one thing, everybody seems to know he’s the best pressing striker out there. And that’s what Mikel Arteta needs.”
Our thoughts on Campbell’s comments…
For the Citizens, the versatile ace has gone from strength to strength, registering 95 goals and 46 assists in 236 appearances across all competitions, claiming four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups along the way.
However, Campbell has got it wrong in his statement that Jesus is the best pressing striker out there.
As per FBRef, the Brazilian ranks poorly for pressures per 90 amongst strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, ranking in the bottom 33% (14.92), but the former Palmeiras man is a hard worker from the front and a real grafter, and it’s why he ranked 3rd in the City squad for tackles in the attacking third (13) and third amongst Guardiola’s forward options for successful pressures (72).
It’s not just his influence in the final third that Mikel Arteta is desperately looking to possess next term but his tremendous efforts without the ball that is arguably most tantalizing prospect for the former Etihad assistant coach.
AND in other news, Arsenal told to increase bid for “deadly” 6’5 striker…
