Arsenal legend urges Arteta to complete transfer for Brazilian forward who boasts rare trait

Thierry Henry has explained why Mikel Arteta should pursue the signing of Man City striker Gabriel Jesus this summer.

Gunners legend Henry has praised Arsenal striker target Jesus’ “number nine instinct” and has compared his style of play with that of Sergio Aguero.

“We saw that he scored four goals at the weekend [against Watford],” Henry said on CBS Sports (via the Metro).

“When he is in the box, he’s one of the three that is playing, or since [Sergio] Aguero left, he has that nine instinct.”

Man City have already added to their attacking ranks this year with the £100m signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa last summer. They have also wrapped up a transfer for Argentine forward Julian Alvarez and remain in the hunt for Erling Haaland.

Each attacker in Pep Guardiola’s team is rotated and none have cemented spots In his starting eleven. A move could therefore offer Jesus the playing time he has consistently shown he deserves.

Since signing from his boyhood club Palmeiras, the Brazilian has appeared 231 times for the Cityzens and amassed a total of 94 goals. Four of those recently came in a 5-1 win over Watford with Jesus registering his first Premier League hat trick in the process.

Arsenal’s centre-forward options are limited, with only Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as their senior options at present.

Each of the two however, have expiring contracts in the summer and could end up following former Arsenal talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the door.

Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal makes sense

The key area that needs improving within the Gunners’ squad is their striker department and Jesus would fit the system Arsenal play.

Gunners chief Edu has reportedly already been in contact with Jesus’ camp and the Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed talks over a move have been ongoing for months.

Henry spoke about the pressure Jesus can apply to opposition defences during a game – something many managers covet from their strikers but few actually receive.

“What I like with him is that when he puts pressure, whether it’s on the left, on the right or in the middle, he doesn’t have a problem to defend in those situations by coming back and helping his team,” added Henry.

Gabriel Jesus agrees terms with Arsenal as Manchester City exit looms

Gabriel Jesus agrees terms with Arsenal as Erling Haaland pushes him out of Manchester City

Jesus has also had his say on a potential move to north London in the summer.

“Not time to think about this,” he replied.

“You expect me to say this and it’s true. Not time to think about this, now is the best moment of the season.”

Jesus is contracted to City until 2023 and has recently hit a purple patch of form, scoring five goals in the last two games he has started.

City manager Guardiola has also been very vague about what the future holds for their number nine

“Gabriel (Jesus) is our player,” said Guardiola. “ I don’t know what is going to happen, but he is a Manchester City player.