A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as one of Mikel Arteta’s star players admits he ‘could do better’ and Arsene Wenger finds one Invincibles legend in a current player.
Gabriel Jesus ‘could do better’ with his new Arsenal role
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus has admitted he ‘could do better’ while adapting to a new role for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. The 27-year-old has struggled to lock down their centre-forward role since returning from the latest aggravation of his knee injury and holds a wider position.
Jesus has frequently suffered discomfort in the knee he originally required surgery on due to ligament damage at the 2022 World Cup. But he has also struggled to offer Arsenal a regular goal threat when fit. So, Arteta has looked elsewhere in his squad to find their best finisher.
Playing from the flanks is not an issue for Jesus if Arteta feels that is where Arsenal need him the most. The Sao Paulo native is willing to help wherever required at Emirates Stadium. But if Arsenal are to win the Premier League title this season, Jesus knows he needs to improve.
“The way I am, I try everything I can to help my team,” Jesus said, via quotes by 90min. “It doesn’t matter where I play, I always try to do my best. I did it [at Manchester City], I was very deep. Normally, I am not that deep but I had to play as the winger.
“I think I help my team playing like this. And then, also, when we [were in the final third], I created some chances. I could do a little bit better but football is like this sometimes. This is the most beautiful part of the season, you try everything to win titles.
“It’s the Premier League, it’s a tough league and anything can happen. It is only two points the difference [to Liverpool] and then we have a very good goal difference. Everything counts at the end but there are still a lot of games.”
Read more about what Jesus has had to say about his role at Arsenal under Arteta, here.
Arsene Wenger sees echoes of Dennis Bergkamp in Martin Odegaard
Legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Invincibles hero Freddie Ljungberg that he sees Gunners icon Dennis Bergkamp in current captain Martin Odegaard. The Frenchman did not hesitate to compare the Norway skipper with the Dutchman who stunned Highbury.
Bergkamp spent the final 11 years of his playing career in north London after joining Arsenal from Inter Milan in 1995. His time in the English capital would also see the striker win three Premier League trophies and four FA Cups. Arsenal did the double in 1997/98 and 2001/02.
Bruce Rioch’s arrival also scored 120 goals over his 423 games at Highbury. While Odegaard is now pulling Arsenal’s strings under Mikel Arteta in a way that gives Wenger memories of Bergkamp. The 25-year-old is, however, yet to win a major trophy since moving to England.
Ljungberg asked Wenger for Viaplay Sports: “Do you see any echoes of your team in today’s team? For example, let’s say: [Bukayo] Saka-[Gabriel] Martinelli, [Robert] Pires-Ljungberg.”
Wenger was quick to reply, noting: “Yeah, there’s a lot. Odegaard-Bergkamp, you know?”
Read more about what Wenger has said about Arsenal captain Odegaard, here.
Newcastle braced for Arsenal and Tottenham to target Alexander Isak
Newcastle United are bracing themselves for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to bid for the transfer of Alexander Isak this summer. That is according to The Sun, which reports that the Toon expect a north London tug-of-war over the 22-year-old’s services amid their FFP woes.
The Magpies expect teams will target the Sweden striker in the off-season as they may have to sell some key assets without European qualification. But manager Eddie Howe has issued a hands-off warning, despite Arsenal already preparing a £100m bid to agree Isak’s transfer.
Tottenham are currently only keeping tabs on Isak. But Spurs sense he will be available for a similar fee to Brentford talisman Ivan Toney. The north London sides are both interested in a transfer for Isak as he has offered Newcastle 15 goals in 22 Premier League games this term.
Read more about Arsenal and Tottenham’s interest in Isak’s transfer from Newcastle, here.