'I don't care!' Jesus dismisses Osimhen/Toney transfer rumours

James Shearman

• Updated: 30 Nov 2023 15:33 GMT
• 3 min read

Gabriel Jesus has dismissed rumours that Arsenal are looking to sign a striker in the foreseeable future.

Jesus has only scored one Premier League goal in the 2023-24 season and many have called for manager Mikel Arteta to replace him.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney are reportedly two of the club's top transfer targets.

"This happens you know, maybe it can be agents talking about a lot of things," Jesus said on the speculation. "I'm not the most experienced, but I think I have seen a lot of things in football.

"Sometimes it is like this, it happened when I was at City even with (Sergio) Aguero and me scoring. I was scoring a lot and people was linking everyone. So here, I don't care about this."

Jesus maintains that, despite a lack goals this season, he offers a lot to Arteta's Arsenal side.

"I know my qualities and I know what I can bring to the team. I can score and I can also help with other things, like opening spaces. But the only people who can see it are those who watch the game and understand.

"Those who don't understand we will say that: 'Oh he didn't score today'. But maybe I run and open space for someone and, let's be honest, I don't miss a lot of chances.

"I think it is not about 'he doesn't know how to score'. Sometimes I have to be more in the box, that is the one thing I am working on."

Jesus' goalscoring woes

On paper, Jesus’ record of 70 goals in 193 Premier League games – roughly 0.36 goals per game – is impressive.

But, it is important to consider that Jesus played in some of the most cohesive attacking units in Premier League history at Manchester City, while Arsenal also create plenty of chances for their forwards.

Indeed, Jesus has underperformed his xG by 23 during his time in England, having been predicted to score 93 goals from the chances presented to him.

Jesus has deservedly developed a reputation as a poor finisher and he has often spoken of his preference to play out wide.

Perhaps, the signing of Victor Osimhen or Ivan Toney could offer the ruthlessness in front of goal that the Arsenal striker lacks.

After all, the Gunners cannot afford to rest on their laurels if they wish to improve on their runners up finish last season.