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Gabriel Jesus joins Arsenal from Manchester City

By Ernesto Hernandez

Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Gabriel Jesus vies with Granit Xhaka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus vies with Granit Xhaka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images) /

Scoring goals was something lacking from Arsenal last season and it arguably cost them fourth place and a spot in the Champions League.

Improving the front line was considered a priority. Enter Gabriel Jesus.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1543860479424077826

The now former Manchester City forward has officially joined the Gunners with the club coming to an agreement with City on a fee of €45 million.

One of the reasons why Jesus decided to leave City for Arsenal was the relationship between him and manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta was part of Pep Guardiola’s staff at City during Jesus’ tenure.

"We spoke a couple of times about the club, the players, the project and the future. I believe 100 per cent in Mikel. I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well.“He helped me a lot [at Manchester City]. We would always stick together after the training sessions and do some finishing or something. He’s a very intelligent guy and was an amazing player, so if he knows something he can teach me or the young players.”Source: Arsenal.com"

With the arrival of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, playing time was potentially going to be sparse for Jesus who wants to play and be a starter with Brazil in the upcoming World Cup.

He also gets the opportunity to lead the Arsenal attack should Arteta deploy him up the middle. During his last season with City, he played the majority of his minutes on the wing. A position Jesus himself has said he prefers.

The Gunners don’t have a traditional striker following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. It opens up the possibility for Jesus playing there or utilizing a false ‘9.’

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In seven seasons with Man City, Jesus scored 95 goals and provided 41 assists across all competitions. His highest tally in a single Premier League season was 14 goals back in the 2019-20 season. While that tally isn’t anything too impressive, with more playing time and in a dynamic side like Arsenal, he should have the chance to improve on those numbers.

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