Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Gabriel Jesus told perfect Arteta plan will see him flourish at Arsenal, as rival Premier League signing hailed

Gabriel Jesus, Wataru Endo Japan v Brazil June 2022

Danny Murphy believes that Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal is one of the signings of the summer transfer window because of a number of factors around his move.

The Gunners needed to address their concerns up front after a season largely without a nailed-on regular goalscorer. Alexandre Lacazette could not score with the regularity Arsenal needed, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left in January.

Eddie Nketiah did not really emerge until the end of the season, with Gabriel Martinelli also having some solid moments.

However, Arsenal have changed the outlook of their attack completely with the arrival of Brazil international Jesus. The striker, who helped lead Manchester City to four Premier League titles, cost Mikel Arteta’s side £45million.

Former Man City assistant coach Arteta made linking up with Jesus again a key aim of his Arsenal tenure.

And former Liverpool midfielder Murphy, who declared he is a “big fan” of Jesus, hailed the signing as one of the deals of the summer so far.

“I think being a bigger fish in a smaller pond and playing as a number nine and having the team being built around him will benefit him,” the pundit told the Daily Mirror.

“I think he could be a brilliant signing for Arsenal, I think he could become somebody the fans love there.”

Murphy added that Arsenal “have been crying out for a number nine” and that Jesus is a “clever bit of business” from Arteta.

Gabriel Jesus joined by fellow top signings

Gabriel Jesus signs for Arsenal - pic via Arsenal.com

Meanwhile, Liverpool have also bolstered their front line this summer with Darwin Nunez.

The former Benfica striker, who is replacing Bayern Munich-bound Sadio Mane, is costing the Reds an initial £64million, but could end up being a club-record, £85million signing.

Coupled with the January arrival of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah’s contract extension, Murphy backed Nunez to impress.

“Of course from a Liverpool point of view, the Darwin Nunez signing is something everybody is excited by,” Murphy said.

“His energy and his physicality and that little bit of an old-fashioned number nine, everybody is looking forward to seeing him link up with Salah and Diaz and [Diogo] Jota.

“There is some terrific signings to get excited by, but I think we are nowhere near done. I think there is so much more to come.”

Murphy finally hailed Newcastle’s deal for centre-back Sven Botman as one of the highlights of the summer so far.

“He’s somebody I’ve seen a fair bit of, he’s a footballing centre half, loves coming out with the ball and a good passer of the ball,” the pundit said.

“Very good technically but also has that physical presence that you need as a centre half. I think the Newcastle fans are going to take to him, that’s a good signing.”

More top transfers on the way

There are more exciting deals in the pipeline for a host of Premier League clubs.

Arsenal are not done yet after four signings and are fighting Manchester United for Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez.

United want a second Ajax star – Brazilian attacker Antony – and are also after Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have defensive gaps to fill, with Matthijs de Ligt a key target.

Further down the table, Cheick Doucoure and Aaron Hickey are close to joining Crystal Palace and Brentford, respectively.

A mention for Leeds United too, who are closing in on the signings of goalscorers Luis Sinisterra and Charles de Ketelaere.