Gabriel Jesus set for ‘different’ role at Arsenal as expert raises doubts

Noel Whelan is “unsure” if Gabriel Jesus will be a prolific goalscorer for Arsenal next season.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Leeds United striker suggested the 25-year-old may take time to adapt to a “different” number nine role at the Emirates.

On Monday (4 July), Arsenal announced the signing of Jesus from Man City.

Jesus put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Mikel Arteta’s side.

The forward is a regular in the Brazil international side and won the Copa America in 2019.

When asked if Jesus could be a top goal-scorer for Arsenal, Whelan told Football Insider: “After his cameos at Man City I’m very unsure still because he played a different kind of role at Man City.

“We never really saw him as an out and out number nine at times.

He was drifting across that front three, playing the way that Pep Guardiola wants him to play, dropping into number ten roles, there was a lot of movement up in that front three of Manchester City.

I’m sure that when he goes to Arsenal there might be a different role there. If it is as a number nine, an out and out centre-forward role, where you’re playing on the shoulders of two centre-halves and you’re in the six yard box every two minutes when crosses are coming in then there’s opportunity.

I’m sure Arsenal will be creating a lot of chances because they’ve got a lot of creative players.

Arsenal

You’d like to think yes, but you can only evaluate someone’s performances come the end of the season.

I think it’s important that he gets his first goal very quickly in the Premier League for Arsenal and there’s no doubt that there will be opportunities made for him with the players that Arsenal have.

In other news, Kevin Campbell suggests Arsenal ‘in pole position’ to sign Youri Tielemans ahead of Newcastle United.