Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will pounce on a new attacker in the final days of the summer transfer window if the right opportunity presents itself. An injury to Gabriel Jesus may force the Gunners to act, with a long and demanding season of domestic and European football ahead.
An upcoming MRI scan is set to reveal the true extent of the groin injury which ruled Jesus out of Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday evening. “It’s true that Gabriel Jesus has an injury,” said Arteta. “We are missing him and we are a little bit short (in that position). If we can do something, we will do it, but at the moment I love the ones that we have.”
Arsenal are rumoured to be eyeing up Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams and Atalanta wide man Ademola Lookman. A move for either player would provide cover for Jesus and give Arteta even more squad depth, but it may also set alarm bells ringing for four stars already at the Emirates Stadium.
The first is Gabriel Jesus himself. The Brazilian has increasingly been used on the wing since Kai Havertz established himself as the first-choice striker.
The likes of Williams or Lookman being lured to north London could therefore see him slip even further down the pecking order by the time he recovers from his groin issue.
Gabriel Martinelli may also start looking over his shoulder if Arsenal strike late in the window. Of the Gunners’ front-three, Martinelli is the one deemed most vulnerable to being replaced after netting only six times in the Premier League last term.
Havertz and Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, have consistently been performing to a remarkably high level. Leandro Trossard is already making Martinelli sweat as his clinical substitute appearances continued with a goal-scoring cameo at Villa Park, which Arteta admits has given him a selection ‘headache’ ahead of next weekend’s clash with Brighton.
Becoming Arteta’s first port of call from the bench has at least guaranteed the Belgian minutes, but his status as the leading impact sub could be threatened by the arrival of new blood.
Alongside Jesus, Martinelli and Trossard, Reiss Nelson may also be hoping that Arteta does not follow through on his transfer hint. Nelson will turn 25 this season but he remains on the fringes, and rumoured interest from other Premier League sides could yet sway him to try his luck elsewhere before the window slams shut – particularly if a new forward is brought into the fold.
