Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in a deal worth £45m, with the Brazilian striker set to take the no.9 shirt in north London.
⛅️ On Cloud No. 9
? Welcome to Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus pic.twitter.com/kPgOx9uVZd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 4, 2022
The forward joins the club after 5 years at Manchester City, where he won four Premier League titles, and will replace the now departed Alexandre Lacazette, who’s contract ran out at the end of last season.
Mikel Arteta, who formerly worked with Jesus at the Etihad, played a big role in the deal being completed, with Jesus revealing that he has complete faith in the Spanish coach.
“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 told Arsenal’s official website.
Meanwhile, Technical Director Edu Gaspar added “We are delighted that we have secured the transfer of Gabriel. Everyone who knows football well, knows the qualities of Gabriel Jesus.”
“Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now. He is 25 years old and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level. We look forward to seeing him join up with his new teammates ahead of the new season. We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal.”
Mikel Arteta also expressed his excitement, saying: “I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.
“This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”
More to come?
Jesus becomes the fourth summer signing for Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar, following the arrivals of Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira already, and there is thought to be plenty more to come this summer.
A deal for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is being discussed, while the club could yet renew their interest in Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans. They are also in the hunt for a wide forward, but were outbid in a deal for Leeds United winger Raphinha and are increasingly likely to have to look elsewhere.
