Mikel Arteta dismisses Gabriel Jesus sale talk and backs him as Arsenal’s number nine | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta said, per ExpressAndStar.com, he is not considering selling Gabriel Jesus and believes the Brazilian can be Arsenal’s first-choice number nine against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.

Jesus returned from injury as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 win at Club Brugge on Wednesday after 11 months out.

He adds variety to Arsenal’s attack and has 18 months left on his contract. With £64million spent on Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz injured, Arteta said the focus is on Jesus’s contribution.

He replaced Gyokeres with 30 minutes left in Belgium, had more touches than the Sweden international and struck the crossbar.

Gyokeres has scored in just four of his 17 appearances since arriving from Sporting Lisbon, where he registered 97 in 102. His last Arsenal goal came in the 2-0 win at Burnley before almost one month out with a hamstring injury.

Arteta said the club must put the striker in the right condition to fulfil his potential. He noted the lack of pre-season and said goals will unlock him, adding that he needs to start converting.

Arsenal were without eight players in midweek. Arteta was coy on whether Declan Rice, who missed the trip due to illness, plus William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber will be available.

Saliba has been out for four fixtures with an ankle issue that altered his running pattern and led to overload elsewhere. He has not trained, and with an extra day remaining his involvement is still uncertain.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com