Mikel Arteta Reveals Why He Wanted To Sign Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that Gabriel Jesus was the player everyone at the club was desperate to sign.

The centre forward joins Arsenal in a £45 million move from Manchester City on a five-year contract.

The Gunners struggled for goals from the striker position last season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's poor early season form and soiling relationship with Arteta leading to him leaving for FC Barcelona in January.

Alexandre Lacazette, meanwhile, became Arsenal's first choice up top but failed to set the world alight and has since moved on to Lyon in Ligue 1.

“I’m very excited," Arteta said.

"The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature.

"I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.

"This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”

Arsenal now have Eddie Nketiah and Jesus as their options up front, with Folarin Balogun likely to head out on loan again this summer.

Technical director Edu said: “We are delighted that we have secured the transfer of Gabriel.

"Everyone who knows football well, knows the qualities of Gabriel Jesus.

"Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now.

"He is 25 years old and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level.

"We look forward to seeing him join up with his new teammates ahead of the new season.

"We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal.” 

Jesus will wear the number nine shirt for Arsenal, which was vacated by Lacazette.