Gabriel Jesus has expressed a strong desire to remain at Arsenal and is open to signing a new contract as he reflects on his time at the club and his hopes for the future.
The Brazilian forward was one of the signings that marked a turning point in Arsenal’s rebuild. He arrived from Manchester City in a £45 million deal at a time when Mikel Arteta was still shaping his squad, and his versatility, work rate and experience immediately raised the team’s overall level.
Despite missing a significant portion of his debut season through injury, Jesus played a vital role in Arsenal’s title challenge. His presence provided the platform for the Gunners to compete at the top of the Premier League, even though a lack of squad depth ultimately saw their challenge fade in the closing months of the campaign.
Injuries, however, have continued to disrupt his progress. Jesus only recently returned from a lengthy layoff after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him sidelined for close to a year. During his absence, Arsenal strengthened their attacking options with the arrivals of Kai Havertz and, more recently, Viktor Gyökeres, both of whom are now viewed as leading contenders for the central striker role.
Jesus’ prolonged absence inevitably sparked speculation about his future, with reports linking him to a potential return to Brazil and interest from clubs in Europe. However, any move has been complicated by his wage structure and Arsenal’s valuation. AC Milan were previously put off by the financial demands involved, while the club also expected enquiries during the January window.
Arteta has since confirmed that Jesus will not leave this month, meaning any decisive talks over his future are likely to take place in the summer, when he will have just one year remaining on his current contract.
Speaking in comments aired on Sky Sports, Jesus made it clear that his preference is to stay at the Emirates and extend his time with the club.
“My first target is to be healthy,” Jesus said. “This is my fourth season at Arsenal, and unfortunately I’ve only played maybe one and a half or two full seasons. The rest have been affected by injuries. That happens, and it has never happened to me before, but I don’t ask why. I just try to be fit.
“My wish is to stay at Arsenal. I have a contract, but if you ask me, I would like to extend my deal, extend my stay and win trophies with Arsenal. I came here with a purpose, but sometimes the reality can be different.”
While Jesus’ desire to remain is clear, Arsenal’s stance is likely to depend heavily on his fitness and form over the coming months. Arteta has consistently stressed that availability is one of the most important qualities in his squad, and the Brazilian’s injury record remains a concern.
Nevertheless, a strong run of performances between now and the end of the season could yet influence Arsenal’s thinking. If Jesus can rediscover consistency and stay fit, the club may still consider rewarding him with a new deal at the Emirates.
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