Mission impossible? Arsenal’s €12m bargain to replace Gabriel Jesus

Robin Bairner

• 21 Dec 2022 14:58 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made it clear on Wednesday that he believes it will be “impossible” to replace Gabriel Jesus.

The Brazil international recently underwent knee surgery for an injury picked up at the World Cup, with the €52m summer signing from Manchester City not expected back until March.

It is an issue that throws Arsenal’s title challenge into jeopardy, and Arteta has intimated that he is open to all solutions.

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He said: “It’s a huge blow for us, obviously. [Jesus] is such an important player, he's brought something very different to the team and it's impossible to replace him.

“But we have other players, other alternatives and we'll try to get that sorted. The transfer window is another option.

“I think Jesus is a unique player, but Eddie Nketiah has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.

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“We have other alternatives in that we can play Martinelli up front as well. We are currently a little bit short in terms of up-front positions but getting Emile Smith Rowe back is going to be a big one.”

If Arteta does go down the transfer route, there is one outstanding option available for just €12 million.

Thuram an obvious option for Arsenal

France international Marcus Thuram has been one of the Bundesliga’s in-form players for Borussia Monchengladbach this season. The 25-year-old has 13 goals and four assists in all competitions this season, equating to a goal contribution every 90 minutes.

Such a player would typically come at a premium price, but Thuram is out of contract at the end of the season and after returning from France duty at World Cup 2022, he is reportedly available for just €12m. This is above his €8m valuation, but nevertheless represents a fine transfer opportunity.

This has to be an attractive solution for Arsenal. Not only is he a natural centre-forward, something that Martinelli is not, he is in-form with his confidence up, has significant sell-on potential and would come cheap. The Gunners also have a long-standing interest in him.

Arsenal could profit significantly from this low-risk deal, with Thuram able to provide a legitimate alternative option to Gabriel Jesus even when the Brazil star is fit once again.