Mikel Arteta told he must sign Gabriel Jesus if Arsenal are 'serious' about reaching top four

Former Arsenal midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has said that Arsenal should sign Gabriel Jesus this summer if they are 'serious' about reaching the top four and qualifying for the Champions League next season. The Gunners narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in 2021/22, with North London rivals Tottenham qualifying instead.

The Gunners have been linked with Gabriel Jesus in recent months, with the Brazilian enjoying fine form under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the final months of the season. However, his position is now under threat following the arrival of Erling Haaland at the Etihad this summer, leaving him potentially in search of first team football elsewhere.

Now, Merson has claimed that Arsenal should make signing Jesus a priority this summer, saying that the club cannot go forward with just Eddie Nketiah as a striker at the club. He said in his Daily Star column: "Arsenal must get Gabriel Jesus if they are serious about getting back into the top four.

"They have got to get him. It's that simple. Everything goes out of the window if they don't. It doesn't matter what else they do. All they've got right now up front is Eddie Nketiah, who recently signed a new contract when it looked like he might leave.

"And no disrespect to Nketiah but Mikel Arteta must realise he won't get you into the top four. Absolutely no chance. That's a fact. So they need Jesus. They don't need young players with potential like Fabio Vieira. They need experience. And Jesus has plenty of that."

The Gunners looked to be in the driving seat for Champions League qualification last season, but were frustrated by a series of disappointing results at the end of the season. That included a defeat to