Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal sent severe warning as Real Madrid hunt hugely impressive Gunners man to replace stalwart

Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal are at risk of losing one of their most influential players after a report detailed interest in him from Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Arsenal have enjoyed a great start to the campaign. They have won nine out of 11 Premier League games and are vying with Manchester City for top spot.

Mikel Arteta’s side have also emerged victorious in four out of five Europa League matches, putting them at the summit of Group A. They will be hoping for a win against FC Zurich on Matchday six to ensure first place in the group, which would see them avoid the relegated Champions League sides.

Arteta is getting the best out of several Arsenal players. Granit Xhaka looks rejuvenated in midfield and has scored four goals already this season, after only finding the net once last term.

William Saliba has been thrust into the first team and has been one of the Premier League’s top defenders.

Summer signing Gabriel Jesus has also been impressive, registering five goals and five assists in 15 appearances so far. The striker is helping the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to become more effective, too.

Arsenal’s progress is delighting their fans. The only downside of their great form is that rival teams are starting to sit up and take note.

Goal, who cite reports coming out of Spain, claim Arsenal might end up losing Jesus to Real. The Spanish giants have set their sights on Jesus, though a move will only occur at the end of the season as they are not looking to sign anyone this winter.

Arsenal star a target for Carlo Ancelotti at Real

The original report provides more detail on the transfer hunt. It states Jesus is on Carlo Ancelotti’s five-man wish list at the Bernabeu.

While Karim Benzema is enjoying the best period of his career, having just won the Ballon d’Or, he is now 34 and Real must find a successor up front.

It seems Ancelotti has settled on Arsenal star Jesus as the man to replace Benzema.

This sets up the possibility of Real launching a big-money move for the Brazil international next summer.

Jesus isn’t the only player Real could bid for. Ancelotti also wants Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, Palmeiras wonderkid Endrick, Enzo Fernandez of Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.

None of those four stars are over the age of 21. It seems Ancelotti wants a new spine for his team going forward, while Jesus will be his latest marquee signing.

It is fine for Real to target Jesus, but they will struggle to get him away from the Emirates. Arsenal will be unwilling to let him go for pretty much any price after only just signing him in the summer.

Plus, the Gunners don’t need to worry about Jesus running down his contract. That doesn’t expire until June 2027.

In previous years, Real would have been able to tempt players away from Arsenal with the offer of Champions League football.

At the moment, Arteta cannot offer his squad this. However, they are in a great position to qualify for the competition ready for next season. This should help to keep Jesus convinced on the Arteta project.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are one of three English clubs battling to sign a Europa League standout.