Arsenal Told £45m Forward May Seek Exit if Role Doesn’t Improve

September 13, 2024 DailyAFC Staff

Arsenal Forward Gabriel Jesus Could Leave if Not Given More Starting Opportunities

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a critical decision in his team selection for the upcoming Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

The injury to Martin Odegaard during international duty has added further pressure on Arteta as he considers how to reshape his lineup ahead of the North London derby.

Among the key issues is whether Leandro Trossard will step in or if a reshuffle, involving Kai Havertz or other players, could take place.

At the same time, questions are emerging about Gabriel Jesus’ future at the club, as the Brazilian forward may consider leaving Arsenal if he doesn’t see more time in the starting XI.

Odegaard’s Injury Creates Selection Challenges

Martin Odegaard’s injury, sustained while playing for his national team, has caused a significant headache for Arteta.

Photo via Getty Images

With Odegaard potentially sidelined, Arteta must decide who will replace him in the starting XI.

Leandro Trossard is a strong contender, with many tipping him to step in for the injured captain.

However, there are other tactical options Arteta could explore.

One such option is moving Kai Havertz deeper into the midfield, which would leave a spot open in Arsenal’s front three.

This tactical change could see either Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, or even the promising youngster Ethan Nwaneri make an appearance in the forward line.

The choice Arteta makes could influence not only the outcome of the match but also the future of key players, particularly Jesus.

Gabriel Jesus Reportedly Frustrated Over Limited Game Time

Gabriel Jesus, who signed for Arsenal from Manchester City in a £45 million deal, has yet to fully establish himself as a consistent starter for the Gunners.

Gabriel Jesus
Photo via Getty Images

Injuries have played a part in his stop-start progress, but some pundits believe that if Jesus isn’t given more chances to play, he could seek a move elsewhere.

Former striker Dean Saunders shared his thoughts on the matter during a TalkSPORT segment, where he suggested that Jesus might not remain patient much longer if he continues to be left on the bench.

Saunders said, “I keep thinking to myself, how long is Jesus going to put up with not playing? He’s a really good footballer, but how many games is he going to give it before he says enough is enough?”

Jesus’ frustration likely stems from his desire to play regularly and prove his value to the team.

Although he is highly regarded for his work rate and technical skills, the Brazilian forward has been criticized for not scoring enough goals.

His inability to consistently find the back of the net has led to speculation that Arsenal may have missed an opportunity to sign a more prolific goalscorer, like Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who could provide 20-25 goals per season.

Despite these concerns, Gabriel Jesus has the perfect opportunity to make a statement in the upcoming North London derby.

With Odegaard injured and uncertainty surrounding Arsenal’s forward line, Jesus could be called upon to make a decisive impact against their fierce rivals, Tottenham.