Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that Gabriel Jesus possesses the qualities to become the club’s first-choice striker as he returns to full fitness after nearly a year out with a knee injury.
Jesus made his long-awaited comeback on Wednesday, featuring as a substitute in Arsenal’s 3–0 Champions League victory over Club Brugge—his first appearance since January. The 28-year-old will now compete with Viktor Gyokeres and the injured Kai Havertz for the central attacking role, alongside a deep pool of attacking talent that includes Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, and Leandro Trossard.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with bottom-placed Wolves on Saturday, Arteta was asked if Jesus could once again establish himself as the club’s leading striker.
“Yes. A player of his quality, a player that has given us so much, and he comes with the energy that he came with the other day,” Arteta said. “He’s certainly a player that has to be pushing and aiming for that.”
Arteta also dismissed any suggestion that Jesus could be sold given Arsenal’s crowded attacking department. He praised the Brazilian’s commitment to returning from injury, stating: “Gabriel has a lot to offer to the team, and he’s proven that straight away in the first minute he was available. He’s put so much into being in this position again, and now the focus is to be with us.”
The manager also addressed Gyokeres’ slow scoring start, urging patience as the Swedish forward continues to adapt to English football. Since joining from Sporting Lisbon in July, the striker has scored just once in the Premier League.
“We have to put the player in the best possible condition to explode and fulfil his potential,” Arteta said. “It took him a while because it’s a different league, different demands, he had no pre-season, and now he’s starting to get some momentum. The goals will come.”
Arsenal enter the weekend two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. However, Arteta remains cautious on the availability of several key players, including William Saliba, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Leandro Trossard, all of whom will undergo assessments before the Wolves fixture.
