Arsenal have fought their way to stay firmly alive in the 2024/25 Premier League title race heading into the October international break.
The Gunners are just one point behind the top spot (occupied by Liverpool) and have picked up some big wins even without captain Martin Odegaard.
Kai Havertz has had a brilliant start to the campaign with six goals in as many home games, but he risks a burnout.
The issue is that Gabriel Jesus has not been able to step up and match even half of the German forward’s heroics.
The Brazilian forward has been attracting quite a lot of criticism from Gooners online for being wasteful in front of goal and frustrating to watch due to his shaky final product.
With zero goals or assists in eight games this season, Jesus is feeling the pressure at Arsenal.
He definitely won’t feel any better by the reports that the Gunners might finally look to sign a new centre-forward in 2025.
As per the reliable Charles Watts, the Gunners are ready to reignite their efforts to sign RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko next year.
Mikel Arteta’s side was actually strongly linked with Sesko all through the last summer transfer window.
But he opted against joining them, instead staying on and signing a new contract extension with the Bundesliga side. That, however, does not seem to have totally deterred the Gunners’ interest in him.
Arsenal might’ve been further intrigued by Sesko after witnessing his excellent performances for Leipzig this season.
The 21-year-old forward ha scored five goals and provided two assists in eight appearances so far.
The Slovenian forward’s powerful shooting ability, clinical nature in front of goal and physical prowess are probably key reasons for Arteta being so swooned by him.
Sesko could also prove to be a stronger competition to Havertz than Jesus. But signing the 21-year-old could be a tough task.
The RB Leipzig man reportedly had a £55.3 million release clause in his previous contract with the club, which was removed once he signed the extension recently.
That probably insinuates that the German club will ask for an even higher amount than that to let him leave next year, which could seriously impact Arsenal’s budget and other signing plans.
Despite all the criticism laid onto Gabriel Jesus and calls from some fans to sell him, Arsenal are not buckling under the pressure.
Football Transfers claims that the Gunners are not planning to cash in on him in the 2025 summer transfer window and plan to keep him as a squad player for the foreseeable future.
Mikel Arteta is apparently still confident that Jesus will regain his best form very soon and can be a valuable asset to help Arsenal strongly compete in the Premier League title throughout the campaign.
This is even after Palmeiras reportedly showcased an interest in potentially signing the Brazilian forward, but neither the player nor the club are entertaining that possibility.
Even though the fans might be raging about his form, Gabriel Jesus is fortunate enough to get valuable backing from some club legends.
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has urged the Gooners to show some patience with Jesus, as he said on his podcast: “Can I just say something about Gabriel Jesus because I feel the need to support him right now.
“I really, really do. I know there’s a feeling that we may have outgrown him but remember when Gabby came, he was a leveller, he levelled us up. Arsenal are at a certain level now but we will definitely need him at some stage so I think it’s important in this moment for the Arsenal fans to support him.
“They have to get behind him. Don’t be frustrated with the way he’s playing, he’s trying so hard at the moment and we’re going to need him. Listening to the murmurings and the way the fans are… please man, back this guy, stay with him. He wants to do so well and it’s just not happening right now but he needs support, he really, really does.We need to make sure we give him confidence because he’s won this [the Premier League] four times. He’s been clutch in many situations before.”
After joining Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, Gabriel Jesus scored 11 goals in his first season. He had 16 goal contributions (eight goals, eight assists) in the 2023/24 campaign.
To ensure that he’s still in Arteta’s plans beyond the ongoing season and not replaced by a new striker next season, he needs to quickly regain his mojo in front of goal and become the clinical, unpredictable forward that gained fame at Manchester City.