Gabriel Jesus has finally completed his long-anticipated move from Manchester City to Arsenal.
The two clubs agreed a fee in the region of £45 million (€52.2m/$55.2m) and the formalities were concluded on Monday, July 4, with Jesus sealing a long-term contract reported that is reported to be for five years.
The Sporting News takes a look at the deal and what qualities the Brazilian could add to Arsenal in the coming years.
⛅️ On Cloud No. 9
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 4, 2022
🔴 Welcome to Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus pic.twitter.com/kPgOx9uVZd
Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal latest: Transfer announced
Jesus has been an important contributor for Manchester City but has never quite risen to the role of main striker, amid stiff competition from the likes of club-record goalscorer Sergio Aguero.
He looked likely to have his playing time limited at the Etihad Stadium in the coming campaign, owing to the fact that new arrivals Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez will be spearheading their attack in 2022/23 under Pep Guardiola.
Scoring 95 goals in 236 appearances for City in all competitions is a commendable record, but the appeal of becoming the main man in attack at Arsenal is obvious.
Gabriel Jesus contract, fee, and wages
Gabriel Jesus reportedly earned £90,000/$110,000 a week at Manchester City, with his yearly wage totalling £4.68m/$5.74m.
ournalist Nabil Djellit claimed the Brazil international was offered £13.7m/$16.8m per year to join the Gunners, working out at a monster £264,000/$324,000 per week.
If these figures are correct they would make him the highest earner on the payroll at the Emirates, overtaking Thomas Partey, who earns around £200,000/$245,000 per week patrolling the midfield.
Gabriel Jesus height, age, and key details
- Height: 5ft 9in
- Age: 25
- Main position: Striker
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Academy teams: Anhanguera, Palmeiras
- Previous clubs: Palmeiras, Manchester City
- Club appearances: 319 (83 for Palmeiras, 236 for Manchester City)
- Club goals: 123 (28 for Palmeiras, 95 for Manchester City)
- International appearances: 56
- International goals: 19
Gabriel Jesus' FIFA Ultimate Team Card
Gabriel Jesus holds a rather handy FIFA Ultimate Team card, with an overall rating of 83 being testament to his versatile nature across the frontline.
Statistically, his pace and dribbling are up there with the best of them, making him a useful option for FIFA fans to play from the start or bring on as an impact substitute.
Key FIFA Ultimate team stats
- Pace: 84
- Shooting: 81
- Passing: 72
- Dribbling: 86
- Defence: 39
- Physical: 73
What shirt number will Gabriel Jesus wear at Arsenal?
As he did at City and has done for Brazil, Jesus will wear No. 9 for Arsenal - a statement of intent that demonstrates the importance of his signing to fans and pundits alike.
Alexandre Lacazette departed north London to return to Lyon, leaving the sought-after jersey free for a new incumbent.
Jesus wore 33 at his first professional club Palmeiras and also turned out for City in the beginning of his stint in the north west of England with the same number.
What is Gabriel Jesus' style of play?
Jesus is a versatile forward, who can play through the middle or in either wide position. In 2021/22, Guardiola often deployed him on the right-hand side of attack, though he elected to play him through the middle in the latter half of the season where he came up with the goods.
He is renowned for his work ethic and prioritisation of what is best for the team, something that Guardiola echoed in a recent interview with the BBC.
"If he doesn't play, he's there training the day after like it's his last day," he said.
"That's why he will have a long career. He will have a successful career because of the incredible positivity in his mind and he thinks for the team. He has this incredible ability because he is always thinking what is the best for the team."
Though often not regarded as a clinical forward, his statistics remain mightily impressive. In 2021/22, he managed to gain 24 goal contributions from 41 games despite being played in several positions: 13 goals and 11 assists.
His four-goal haul against Watford in late April was a particular highlight of his time at the Citizens, producing an array of finishes as he helped his side move one step closer to sealing the Premier League title.
🗣️"What a goal. What a team. 5-1!"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 23, 2022
Manchester City are cruising and Gabriel Jesus has scored four goals against Watford! pic.twitter.com/n4qktCCCCq
How will Gabriel Jesus fit into Arsenal's starting XI?
Jesus will give Arsenal a different option to lead the line from Eddie Nketiah, something that will stand the Gunners in good stead depending on who their opponent is and what their weaknesses may be.
Nketiah is a fantastic talent, who has a real poacher's instinct, which is becoming harder to find in the modern game. Despite this, Jesus may provide Arsenal with a more adept option up top with regards to build-up play, allowing creative teammates like Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli to roam into dangerous attacking positions.
Plenty of game time will be on offer for Jesus at Arsenal, with him and Nketiah both set to be key assets for Arteta in the coming campaign. In some games, there could be the possibility where both players are fielded to add an offensive threat, though not in a rigid front two.
99 - Gabriel Jesus's 99 starts in the Premier League broken down by game position:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 25, 2022
CF: 78 starts, 40 goals, 14 assists
RW: 15 starts, 9 goals, 8 assists
LW: 6 starts, 4 goals, 1 assist
Preference? pic.twitter.com/YGVwwytapd
Due to his experience and relative success operating on the right flank, there could be a scenario where Jesus moves out wide allowing Nketiah to assume a central berth. This may be adopted in matches against elite opposition, with Jesus' work rate meaning he can aim to nullify the opposing left-back, something he has done on multiple occasions for City.
No matter what happens, the signing of Jesus is sure to inspire excitement across the Arsenal support as the new campaign draws closer.
