GABRIEL JESUS is ready to fight for his place as Arsenal plot a summer move for a striker.
The Brazilian forward has endured an injury-plagued period since signing from Manchester City for £45m in July 2022.
The 27-year-old had surgery on his knee towards the end of last season but was under the knife again at the beginning of this term before a hamstring strain in October.
He then missed a further five games in February with more knee troubles, and admitted this week that he cannot remember a time when he “played without pain”.
Despite that, Jesus is confident he is fit enough to contribute for the Gunners in a crucial part of the campaign – top of the Premier League with seven games left and in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
It would be timely for Jesus to prove his worth, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta planning to splash out on a No.9 in the next transfer window.
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Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko have all been linked.
Yet when asked about the North London club’s ambitions to potentially replace him, Jesus said: “They already know if they want to [sign a striker] or not.
“Maybe this question is not for me but for them. My job is to try to work, train hard, improve what I have to improve and help Arsenal win games and after win trophies.
“The speculation will always be there, not only here but every club. People want to decide who the club wants to sign. This is not just happening at Arsenal but a lot of clubs.”
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Due to his injury issues, and positional adaptability under Arteta as both a central forward and winger, Jesus has struggled to find form in front of goal this term.
He has just four goals and three assists in 21 Prem outings, having scored 11 and provided six in 26 league games last season.
Jesus’ Champions League record is much better for Arsenal, netting four goals in six games so far, with Bayern Munich at the Emirates on Tuesday night in the quarters.
So far, City’s Erling Haaland has 25 goals in 32 appearances in the Prem and Champions League, while Bayern’s Harry Kane has 38 goals in 36 appearances combined.
But Jesus feels it is unfair to compare him to those heavyweight goal-getters, explaining: “Even if I’m playing in a position like they are I think it’s unfair because we are different types of players. That’s my opinion.
“I have played this season maybe 40 per cent on the wing but people only want to know if I’ve scored or not. That’s football today. It’s not just with me but it’s a lot of strikers like this.
“I don’t want to come here and say Gabi doesn’t care about playing as a winger when his position normally is a nine. This part of the season you don’t complain. I never complain.
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“When I get the chance I will show the manager and everyone else why I have to play. This part of the season I’ll put my ego aside and do what the manager wants to help the team.
“It’s not easy, not just for me but for Eddie [Nketiah] as well. Kai [Havertz] is having amazing games and scoring. That’s the price you pay if you want to be in a big club.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
