Arsenal

'Watch out Premier League - here we come!'

It's safe to say most Arsenal fans are delighted with the signing of Gabriel Jesus.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Bev: Really pleased with the acquisition of Gabriel Jesus. Need power up front and still not sure about Nketiah. Would love to see Charlie Patino given a good run.

David: Over the moon. Jesus is an established goalscorer. He has skill, class and style. He has the Henry flare, hunger and desire to succeed, so let’s hope he can put the jinxed number nine shirt to bed. With Saka, Nketiah, Odegaard and Martinelli all providing telling passes up front to Jesus, it’s watch out Premier League. Here we come!

Mustapha: He's a good signing, but wouldn't solve the club's problems. Arsenal need strong characters and leaders on and off the pitch. We need another Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.

Jeremy: Jesus is a great signing for us - and will surely get goals with Odegard, Saka and co behind him. But we still need a target man so we can mix it up a bit. We also need cover at full-back on both sides as we suffered with injuries in these positions last season. And another midfielder would be nice too - especially if Granit moves on.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Cryer, BBC Sport

Gabriel Jesus was never considered a prolific goalscorer during his time at Manchester City, although 95 goals in 236 appearances isn't a bad return.

Add to that his trophy haul with Pep Guardiola's men; four titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup, and you can understand the excitement among Arsenal fans.

With Mikel Arteta's young Arsenal squad showing plenty of promise last season, one of their key deficiencies was in front of goal, scoring fewer than the four teams who finished above them.

Arteta relied on his younger players for goals, with 20-year-old Bukayo Saka their leading scorer with 12, and fellow England international Emile Smith Rowe, 21, adding 11.

A closer look at Jesus' stats suggest, given regular game time, he could provide the extra goals the Gunners need.

He has scored in 42% of his Premier League starts - the 13th highest ratio in the competition's history among players with more than 50 Premier League starts.

His average of 159 minutes per goal also ranks favourably, being the 14th best among players with 50 or more Premier League goals once penalties are removed from their tallies.

Jesus brought far more than just goals to Manchester City, though, with his work-rate and ability to play in various roles across the forward line making him a key man for Guardiola.

He was often called upon for the Premier League champions' biggest games and was something of a talisman for them. He lost just 19 of the 121 top-flight matches in which he appeared for City, with a 76% win rate.

Jesus assisted eight league goals for City in 2021-22, the joint-most of any player at the club, along with Kevin de Bruyne, and assisted 29 in his time at the club, creating 151 chances.

Read more on whether Jesus is the man to help the Gunners to a Champions League finish

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Mikel Arteta knows exactly what to expect from Gabriel Jesus given they worked together at Manchester City.

The Brazilian is the Gunners’ fourth summer signing, and feels like the replacement for former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who left for Barcelona in February, even if his goals output – 58 goals in 159 Premier League appearances - has been sporadic.

If the selfless way Jesus went about his work at City is any guide, he will be less difficult to handle than Aubameyang and more likely to fit into Arteta’s team pattern.

Arteta was at City when Jesus arrived at the club from Palmeiras.

At the time, he was only 19 and he performed so well there was talk of Sergio Aguero being eased out of Etihad Stadium because Jesus was a better fit with Pep Guardiola’s preferred style.

But, after three goals in his first three top-flight appearances, Jesus broke his foot. Aguero got his place back, started scoring again and the idea of selling him was ditched.

It soon also became apparent that Jesus preferred to play wide, even though he was more direct – and less tricky – than the brilliant team-mates he has had that fill those roles.

For the past two seasons, when Guardiola needed someone to play as a centre-forward, the choice was hardly ever Jesus. Arteta knows this, so it seems unlikely he has spent £45m on someone with the intention of moving him into a position he does not like.

After missing out on a place in next season’s Champions League, Arsenal cannot be accused of failing to back their manager, although after extending his contract to 2025, maybe they had done that already.

Let us know what you think of Jesus' signing here

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So, Gabriel Jesus is an Arsenal player and pre-season kicked off with a ruthless win over Ipswich behind closed doors on Saturday, Eddie Nketiah scoring a hat-trick.

As Jesus beds in, and with more fixtures to come over the next few weeks, what are you hoping to see from Mikel Arteta's side this pre-season?

• Friday, 8 July - Nuremberg v Arsenal, Nuremberg - 16:30 BST

• Saturday, 16 July - Everton v Arsenal, Baltimore - 00:00 BST (17 July)

• Wednesday, 20 July - Orlando City v Arsenal, Orlando - TBC

• Saturday, 23 July - Chelsea v Arsenal, Orlando - 20:00 BST

• Saturday, 30 July - Arsenal v Sevilla, Emirates Stadium - 12:30 BST

Which young players should get the chance to impress the boss? And is Jesus the right man to fire Arsenal up the table this season?

Have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Arteta is delighted to finally get his man after Arsenal confirmed the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City on Monday.

Arteta worked closely with Jesus in his previous role as assistant manager at Etihad Stadium and is thrilled to get the opportunity to reunite with the Brazil forward.

"I’m very excited," he said. "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."

Jesus scored 95 goals in 236 appearances for City and won 11 trophies during his five-and-a-half-year spell in Manchester.

Arsenal technical director Edu also expressed his pleasure at signing such an established Premier League goalscorer: "Everyone who knows football well knows the qualities of Gabriel Jesus.

"He is a player we have admired for a long time now. He has consistently demonstrated he is a player at a very high level.

"We look forward to seeing him join up with his new team-mates and we all welcome him to Arsenal."

How are you feeling about the Jesus signing, Arsenal fans? Have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

New Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus says Mikel Arteta played a huge role in convincing him to swap Manchester for north London and sign for the Gunners.

The Brazil international completed his £45m move on Monday and is thrilled at reuniting with Arteta, who was Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City for three years.

"He helped me a lot," Jesus told Arsenal's official website, external.

"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.

"We spoke a couple of times - about the club, the players, the project and the future. I had a very good time with him before - he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well.

"I believe 100% in Mikel."

The 25-year-old revealed he enjoyed watched Arsenal when growing up in Sao Paulo with a fellow forward a particular favourite.

"I followed them when I was young because of Thierry [Henry]," he said. "When I played against Arsenal, I was looking at the Emirates and it was a very good stadium, so I’m very excited to play here.

"I know there are a lot of top players. They are young and I’m still young as well, so I am so happy to be here to help. I come to help, to learn as well and to try to do my best.

"I'm so happy to sign for this big club."

Arsenal and Manchester United will compete for 28-year-old forward Paulo Dybala, who is a free agent after his Juventus contract expired, while Napoli are also interested in the Argentina international. (La Repubblica, via Star), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners' battle with United for Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez is intensifying, with Arsenal set to meet Ajax this week and the Old Trafford club having made a bid for the 24-year-old. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

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England take on Israel in the final of the European Under-19 Championship at 19:00 BST on Friday.

The Three Lions are hoping to win the tournament for the second time in five years, after a team including the likes of Aaron Ramdsale and Reece James became champions in 2017.

So, who is the Arsenal youngster aiming for glory?

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

A player in the squad who has experienced first-team football. The 18-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Lincoln in League One, was involved in all of the group matches, started in the semi-final and offers an attacking outlet on the right-hand side.

Meet the rest of the squad

Watch Israel v England on BBC Sport from 18:40 here

Image source, Reuters

There are question marks over whether Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus can step up and be the 20-goal-a-season striker Arsenal need to fire them up the Premier League table.

That's the view of former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly, who likened the Brazil forward to a man who has just left Emirates Stadium.

"If you look at the numbers, Jesus is actually very similar to Alexandre Lacazette," Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "And he's been playing in one of the most creative teams in the world.

"Can he go to Arsenal and score 20 goals this season? They have desperate need for someone, but I don't think those goals are guaranteed."

Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards was more bullish on Jesus' potential move.

"It's a really interesting one," he said. "A chance for him to prove that he can be that player.

"He's a proven goalscorer in the Premier League and now, for the first time, he gets the chance to be the main man as he's always played second fiddle.

"I like this transfer, I really do."

Listen to full transfer discussion from 34'40 on BBC Sounds

Arsenal have had a second bid of £38m for Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez rejected by Ajax, who want £43m. Meanwhile, Manchester United are expected to push to sign the 24-year-old this weekend. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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After a debut goal for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Sunderland last season, we asked you whether 18-year-old Charlie Patino now deserves a chance in the first team more regularly.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Andrew: I'd love to see Charlie Patino start to make his mark in the Europa League group stages and the Carabao Cup. This was how Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Nketiah and others forced their way into the senior team and the Premier League. He's the real deal.

Ashley: Personally yes I would like to see more of Charlie Patino in 2022-2023 but for his own improvement he would be better off going on loan to a Championship club.

Jonah: I think that Patino is exactly what Arsenal need. He is young with such great potential and he is a very talented player. He has been at the club since he was a kid and the fans clearly love him and want him to see playing time. Only a few seasons ago Saka was in a similar position to Patino and look at him now. Patino is definitely one to watch.

Ross: A good technical player, no doubt, but needs to get much stronger to be a success in that attacking midfield area. Probably best put out on loan to let him gather more experience (time on pitch with Arsenal will he very limited) and grow a year or so.

Arsenal have made a third offer to Ajax for defender Lisandro Martinez, who is valued at £43m by the Eredivisie champions. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, the Gunners, Chelsea and Tottenham will hold talks with Torino over defender Gleison Bremer, with the Serie A side wanting £43m for the Brazilian. (90min), external

The club have held talks with former midfielder Jack Wilshere, as the Gunners look to fill their under-23 and under-18 head coach positions. (Standard), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell says it is time for Gabriel Jesus to "be the main man" and believes he will be a great addition to Mikel Arteta's Gunners squad.

The 25-year-old Brazil forward is having a medical before a £45m move from Manchester City.

Campbell told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "I'm very excited. I think Gabriel Jesus is a world-class player, although he wasn’t utilised as much as he possibly could have been.

"A good gauge is whenever the big games came around, he played, he started - and, most of the time, he either assisted or scored.

"Arteta has worked with him. He knows what type of player he is. Haaland will be the main man at City, so it’s time for Jesus to be the main man somewhere else.

"There were quite a few Champions League clubs interested in him, but the connection that Mikel Arteta has with him has won the day and he’s coming to Arsenal, which is great."

Hear more from 28'20 on BBC Sounds

Arsenal could miss out on Brazil forward Raphinha, with Chelsea close to agreeing a £55m deal with Leeds United for the 25-year-old. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer rumours? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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The much-hyped Charlie Patino, who cost Arsenal £10,000 from Luton when he was 11, will be hoping for a big season.

The 18-year-old scored only 10 minutes into his debut last season - a 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Sunderland - and also started their FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Fans chanted his name as he came on after 80 minutes in that Sunderland game, with boss Mikel Arteta saying: "I see that [building hype]. I saw it around the club."

An injury held up his breakthrough somewhat, but he was on the bench for the final four Premier League games of the season.

Patino, who says he grew up loving former Gunners midfielder Santi Cazorla, is an England Under-19 international, although he is also eligible for Spain.

Would you like to see more of Patino this season? Let us know here

What other Premier League youngsters could have a big 2022-23?