Mikel Arteta has firmly dismissed any suggestions that Gabriel Jesus may leave Arsenal in the January transfer window. The 28-year-old striker recently made his long-awaited return to the first team, coming on as a substitute during Arsenal’s convincing 3-0 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League. Jesus had been sidelined for 11 months following knee surgery and expressed his relief and gratitude upon his return, stating, “God saved my life” after a tough recovery process focused on overcoming fears of re-injury.
However, Jesus faces significant competition for a starting position, with the likes of €73 million summer acquisition Viktor Gyökeres now fit and Kai Havertz nearing full recovery from his own knee issues. In the absence of Jesus, Mikel Merino has successfully adapted to a makeshift center-forward role, sparking speculation that Jesus might seek a transfer in January to boost his chances of making Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Despite these circumstances, Arteta remains adamant about retaining Jesus, primarily due to the striker’s potential contributions to the team. When posed with questions on whether he would consider allowing Jesus to leave, Arteta replied decisively, “No, I don’t consider that and especially with the situation we have right now.” He went on to highlight Jesus’s hard work and determination to return, underscoring his value through “the energy he did the other day,” and emphasized that a player of Jesus’s caliber should be pushing for a starting spot.
Arteta also addressed the current status of other injured players, including Declan Rice, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, and Leandro Trossard, all of whom are being assessed to determine their availability for the upcoming match against Wolves. With Wolves struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table, having only secured two points this season, Arteta acknowledged the need for vigilance against complacency. He noted that teams in challenging positions often respond fiercely, making it crucial for his squad to stay focused and not take their opponents lightly.
