Danny Murphy has claimed that a player like Robert Lewandowski is ‘not going to go to Arsenal’, so the club’s most realistic option is signing someone like Gabriel Jesus, as he told talkSPORT.
The former midfielder added that Jesus is going to be a ‘very good signing’ for Arsenal and thinks, if he plays on a regular basis down the middle, then he can become a ‘1 in 2 ‘ striker.
It has already been reported that Jesus to Arsenal is ‘100% done’, the Brazil star was pictured hugging his fellow countryman and Arsenal technical director, Edu Gaspar, on Tuesday.
With Alexandre Lacazette out of the exit door, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left in January, it puts big pressure on Jesus and Eddie Nketiah’s shoulders for next season.
Former Liverpool man Murphy shared his thoughts on the incoming transfer and questioned who else Mikel Arteta could have brought in to score their goals.
“I think it’s a very good signing because I don’t what else they could do or who else they could get,” said Murphy. “Unless, they take a risk on somebody, polish and then make better. A diamond in the rough if you like, someone with potential.
“It’s a very simple equation when you are doing recruitment. It’s not the fancy world of computer football, where you say ‘I want him, so we will get him’.
“They can’t get Lewandowski, he’s not going to go to Arsenal. So, Jesus’ numbers, considering he’s not an out-and-out striker at Man City, he’s 1 in 2.4 games.
“If Arsenal are getting a striker who is 1 in 2 or less. Who is he? Where are they getting him from and how much is he going to cost? And will he even go there? I think they are getting the best in class that they can get.
“If he plays down the middle for them, and that regularly, then I think he can become a 1 in 2 or them. Arsenal need that type of striker.
ARSENAL NEED CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Jesus is an elite player, he has proven that over the years at Manchester City, winning four Premier League titles out of the last five and Pep Guardiola constantly picks him in big games.
But he’s not at the level of someone like Lewandowski, who is probably one of the best strikers in the world right now – Chris Sutton did claim earlier this summer that the Bayern Munich man is a better option for Arsenal than Manchester United.
A club the size of Arsenal has always attracted and been able to lure the heavyweight players to the club, but their decline in recent times hasn’t helped matter.
At a minimum, whilst the Gunners aren’t challenging for the Premier League title, they need to be in the Champions League, because that’s one of the first things the top players want and look for.
