Smith: Jesus fits Arteta's Arsenal project

Alan Smith insists the signing of Gabriel Jesus is a "coup" for Arsenal and the former Gunners striker thinks the Brazilian forward fits Mikel Arteta's project at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal, who were without a senior striker after the expiry of Alexandre Lacazette's contract and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit to Barcelona, were in desperate need of attacking reinforcements and their search for a striker is now over after Jesus' arrival from Manchester City.

The 25-year-old has moved to north London for £45m and he joins Eddie Nketiah as part of Arteta's new-look strike force.

Speaking to Sky Sports, former Arsenal striker Smith gives his verdict on the signing of Jesus and Arsenal's transfer window so far as the Gunners prepare for the new season.

This summer and last summer nobody was quite sure how much cash they had to splash, but clearly the squad needed strengthening and enlarging, and they are doing that.

The centre-forward position was obviously the priority and Gabriel Jesus is a good signing.

He's been in and out of the Man City team and he's played wide but given the chance to play regularly through the middle I think he'll improve further in that position under Mikel Arteta.

A lot of players nowadays have to put up with rotation and being in and out of the team, and when they are given a chance, they have to try and deliver. However, any footballer will tell you, and strikers especially, playing regularly helps because you need that sharpness and confidence in front of goal to take chances when they crop up.

There is nothing like playing week in, week out when you are trying to find that rhythm. You get on a run of scoring goals and the last thing you want is to be pulled out of the team again.

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