Why Arsenal have made Gabriel Jesus their priority summer signing

Last summer, Arsenal spent £50 million on a defender whose most attractive attribute was not his tackling or aerial power, but his ability on the ball. This summer, they are expected to spend a similar amount on a striker who has been described as the “best in the world” - at defending from the front.

Defenders who attack, and attackers who defend. This is how Mikel Arteta sees football, as a sport where all outfielders are aligned, and the Arsenal manager knows there are few players more suited to his system than Gabriel Jesus. Just as Ben White, last season’s big-money addition at centre-back, helped to transform the team from the back, Arsenal hope that the signing of Jesus will help them to further evolve in attack. 

Jesus remains a Manchester City player for now but Arsenal are pushing hard, and it seems to be only a matter of time before a deal is agreed. The 25-year-old has long been Arsenal’s priority target, in large part because they know him so well: Arteta worked with Jesus during his time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, while technical director Edu did the same in his previous role with the Brazilian national team. 

In short, Arsenal know what they need and they know what they would be getting with Jesus. He has Premier League experience, considerable technical skill and a familiarity with the style of play that Arteta demands. Tick, tick, tick.

The challenge for Jesus, if a deal is indeed completed, is to take his individual game to another level. For years he has been an effective attacking weapon at City, without ever becoming the undisputed leader of Guardiola’s frontline. At Arsenal he would have to shoulder that burden and score the goals they need from their primary centre-forward.

Is he capable of