Latest news with #GabrielJesus
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Arsenal's campaign 'remembered as one of frustration'
Arsenal secured a third runner-up finish in a row but this campaign is going to be remembered with Arteta will have the same feelings and will be pondering what could have been as another season ends without a Gunners were robbed of key forwards for large part of the season with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all suffering a medium to long-term injury at some point in the Arsenal's football was not as free-flowing as in previous seasons and, despite the injuries, the debate that went on all season was whether they needed a is clear that they do and after failing to bring one in during the January transfer window, the pressure now moves to this summer are interested in Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko but it remains to be seen which one of those three, if any, come through the has progressed Arsenal but if the squad doesn't improve, the danger is next season will be remembered in exactly the same way.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arteta Targets Second Jesus to Break Trophy Drought
Arsenal Eye Igor Jesus to Break the Silverware Drought After a third consecutive second-placed finish in the Premier League, questions are starting to surface: is the 2025/26 campaign a make-or-break season for Mikel Arteta? Advertisement Despite transforming Arsenal into genuine title contenders and Champions League semi-finalists, the Spaniard hasn't lifted a major trophy since the 2019 FA Cup. His tactical evolution and the club's improved consistency have restored pride in North London — but silverware remains elusive. And in football, progress without prizes only lasts so long. Striker Search: Arsenal Look to Bolster Attack One of Arsenal's most pressing issues remains up front. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have both endured frustrating seasons, hampered by injury and patchy form. With the club's ambitions growing — especially after their deep run in Europe — a reliable No. 9 is essential if Arteta's project is to finally reach fruition. That search has led Arsenal to a familiar name with a twist: Igor Jesus. The Jesus Arsenal Really Want? According to multiple reports, Arsenal are back in the hunt for Igor Jesus, the 24-year-old Brazilian forward currently starring for Botafogo. The Gunners had made a move in January, reportedly tabling an offer just shy of £25 million. However, Jesus turned it down — not out of disrespect, but due to his desire to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this June. Advertisement That commitment speaks volumes about his mindset. It's not just about money or prestige — Jesus is motivated by legacy and experience. And with Botafogo's stunning 2024 double — winning both the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and the Copa Libertadores — he's earned the right to dream big. What Would Jesus Bring to Arsenal? Described in Brazilian media as a 'fast' and versatile striker, Jesus possesses the pace, movement, and finishing to complement Arsenal's fluid front line. He's not just a poacher; he can drop deep, press from the front, and link play — much like the ideal Arteta forward. Though Arsenal will likely have to offer significantly more than their initial £25m bid, Jesus could prove a bargain compared to the likes of Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres, whose price tag continues to climb past the £70m mark. Ready for the Big Stage Jesus may be happy in Rio for now, but sources suggest he 'understands that he cannot waste an opportunity to play in the Premier League.' That self-awareness, combined with his age and profile, makes him a sensible and strategic signing for Arsenal — a player who could grow with the club and finally deliver the trophies Arteta's rebuild deserves. Advertisement With the summer window approaching and ambitions riding high, Arsenal's next striker signing could well define not just the season, but the manager's legacy. The radar chart profiling Igor Jesus offers a compelling glimpse into why the Brazilian striker has caught the attention of Premier League clubs, particularly Arsenal. Over 3,115 minutes in the past year, Jesus has demonstrated a rare blend of attacking output, progressive involvement, and defensive effort — all vital traits for a modern centre-forward. Offensively, Jesus ranks in the 83rd percentile for both assists and expected assisted goals (xAG), highlighting his creativity and vision in the final third. He also boasts an 81st percentile for non-penalty expected goals (npxG), underlining his knack for getting into high-quality scoring areas. While his non-penalty goals conversion (55th percentile) is solid but not elite, his 83rd percentile in shot-creating actions suggests he's central to build-up and chance creation. Advertisement Possession-wise, Jesus is heavily involved. He ranks highly in progressive carries (69th percentile), progressive passes (77th), and touches (86th) — signs of a forward who willingly drops deep and connects play. His pass completion rate is average (57th percentile), but this may reflect riskier forward passes rather than poor technique. Defensively, Jesus is far from idle. His 88th percentile in clearances and 63rd percentile in aerials won are particularly notable, making him valuable during defensive set-pieces and transitions. Though he's lower in tackles and interceptions (21st percentile), his contributions in pressing situations and physical duels cannot be ignored. In summary, Igor Jesus isn't just a finisher — he's a multi-faceted forward capable of contributing across all phases of play. His numbers indicate a well-rounded, intelligent player whose profile aligns with the demands of Premier League football and Arsenal's tactical setup under Mikel Arteta.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Arteta ready to smash Arsenal's transfer budget to sign striker
Mikel Arteta is willing to do whatever it takes to get a new striker in the summer. (EPA Images pic) LONDON : Mikel Arteta is willing to break Arsenal's transfer budget in a bid to land a star striker to spearhead their Premier League title challenge next season. Arteta's side have now gone five years without a trophy as they approach the end of a frustrating campaign marred by injuries to key forwards Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. That trio, as well as influential midfielder Martin Odegaard, all missed substantial chunks of the season as Arsenal failed to keep pace with Premier League champions Liverpool before losing the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. A new striker is top of Arteta's wish-list with Havertz, who has not played for almost four months, still the club's top scorer in the league with just nine goals. Arsenal are believed to have at least £100 million (US$132 million) at their disposal for new players and have been linked with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle's Alexander Isak. After failing to lure England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa during the January transfer window, Arteta is willing to do whatever it takes to get a new striker in the summer. 'The thing is that the budget is like when you have your wedding – you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and never less, and it's always more,' Arteta told reporters on Friday. 'When you build a house, it's always more. Normally this happens. And you prepare for different scenarios. Then, unfortunate things happen. Sometimes, we want a player and suddenly we have an injury or that player gets injured. 'There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let's see if we can do it.' Amid speculation this week that Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who replaced Edu in March, have disagreed over which striker to pursue, the manager insisted their relationship is fine. 'Well, if that happens, that means that we cannot explain ourselves well enough, and we are not clear enough on what we want, and I guarantee you that hasn't happened,' he said. 'It didn't happen in five and a half years with Edu, and I guarantee you it hasn't happened with Andrea. 'We have learned a lot and some of them (transfers) have worked really well and others have not. So, we have to make sure that we make the right calls. 'But, we are all human beings and unfortunately, nobody has got a crystal ball here. 'But, Andrea is someone who is very driven, very clear in his ideas, in his vision and how we want to achieve it.' Second-placed Arsenal, who host third-placed Newcastle on Sunday, head into the final two matches of the season needing just two points to be assured of Champions League qualification. However, with their superior goal difference, one point should be enough for Arsenal to secure a top-five finish. Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. Book your seat now at before they're gone!
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal suffer another injury blow with Jurrien Timber set for surgery and a doubt to be ready for NEXT season
JURRIEN TIMBER is set to undergo an ankle operation — and is now in a race to be fit for the start of next season. The Arsenal full-back has been struggling for fitness in recent weeks and has been advised by the club's medical team to go under the knife. 1 His last game was the 2-1 Champions League semi-final defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on May 7, missing the 2-2 draw at Liverpool and Sunday's 1-0 home win over Newcastle. The hope is the Dutchman will be in the best position to hit the ground running next term as he targets a return for the start of the Gunners' pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong from July 19. But he joins a long list of players on the club's injury list. Although Kai Havertz made his return from a hamstring injury on Sunday, defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu and striker Gabriel Jesus are still out of action, while William Saliba was subbed off at half-time against Toon with a thigh problem. Timber has been one of Mikel Arteta's most consistent and impressive performers this term, playing 48 times. He joined the club from Ajax for £34.5million in the summer of 2023, but missed most of that season after rupturing his ACL in the opening game. Ben White is now set to start at right-back for the final Prem game at Southampton on Sunday. Meanwhile, boss Arteta is preparing for a ruthless summer of incomings and outgoings this summer, having called on the Arsenal board to 'do what they have to do' by providing funds, with £60m-valued Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres a priority. Arteta revealed that he will lose 'four or five' members of a squad that he recently admitted was short of numbers at the start of the season. Those 'four or five' include two loanees — Bournemouth keeper Neto and Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling. Mikel Arteta will be sacked by Christmas if Arsenal are not in top two, warns former Gunners star Sterling is not expected to be extending his time at Arsenal, but remains in the dark over his future, with a lack of communication from parent club Chelsea. His loan has been viewed as a let-down, and Arteta has already moved on from the 30-year-old, opting against bringing him on against Newcastle. While Ethan Nwaneri, 18, has proved he can provide back-up for Saka on the right wing, Arteta will push to sign a left winger this summer, which will threaten starting spots for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Should top target Nico Williams — who has a £50m release clause — be signed from Athletic Bilbao, then Trossard could be moved on to raise funds, with the Belgian having just one year left on his current contract and heavily linked to a Saudi move. Kieran Tierney's return to Celtic should be completed soon, with his deal expiring at the end of the term, while fellow left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has drawn interest from Borussia Dortmund after losing his place to academy star Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Ukrainian's influence in the dressing room and positional flexibility is valued by Arteta, but again, with 12 months left on the 28-year-old's deal, this could be a chance to cash in on a player they spent £35m on from City in 2022. Jorginho, 33, is understood to have already said his goodbyes, with his contract soon up and a chance to return to his birthplace Brazil to see out the rest of his career. And fellow midfielder Thomas Partey is in a similar position, but sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be keen to explore a contract extension for the 31-year-old, even with a £51m deal agreed for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
New York Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Arsenal's Jurrien Timber to undergo minor procedure on ankle
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is set to undergo a minor operation on his ankle. The 23-year-old Netherlands international will become the latest Arsenal player to have to undergo a procedure this campaign, joining a list that includes Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Reiss Nelson, who has spent the season on loan at Fulham, also had to undergo surgery on a hamstring issue in February. Advertisement Timber, who missed the majority of the 2023-24 season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, has played the fifth-most minutes for Arsenal this season, with only David Raya, William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Thomas Partey having played more than the defender. Injuries to White, Tomiyasu, and Riccardo Calafiori have led to Timber playing more minutes this campaign. He was substituted during his side's 2-1 victory over Fulham on April 1, after receiving a knock in the first half of the game. Despite playing in all four games against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter- and semi-finals, he had been rested in recent weeks, starting just one of Arsenal's seven Premier League games. Timber's most recent league appearance came against Crystal Palace on April 23. The Netherlands have World Cup qualifiers against Finland on June 7 and against Malta three days later. Arsenal, who secured Champions League qualification with their 1-0 victory over Newcastle United yesterday, conclude their Premier League away at Southampton on Sunday. ()
