Mikel Arteta said on Friday that Brazil international Gabriel Jesus has the ability to become Arsenal’s first-choice striker after returning from an 11-month absence.
The 28-year-old came on as a substitute in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge on Wednesday, playing his first minute for the club since suffering a knee injury in January.
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Jesus must compete with Victor Chokeres and Kai Havertz, who are currently out with knee injuries, to become the focal point of Arsenal’s attack.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a number of other options in attacking positions, including Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Maduk and Leandro Trossard.
The Spanish manager, whose side host bottom side Wolves on Saturday, was asked at his pre-match press conference whether Jesus could become the club’s number one striker.
“Yes, he is a player of his level, a player who gives us a lot and he brings the energy he brought with him the other day,” he said.
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“He’s definitely a player who has to work at it and try to achieve his goals, that’s for sure.”
Arteta was also asked if he would consider selling the former Manchester City star given his wealth of attacking options, but dismissed the idea.
“Gabriel can contribute a lot to the team and he showed in the first minute that he can play,” he said. “He has sacrificed a lot to be in this position again and the focus now is on being with us.”
The Arsenal boss insists “the goals will come” for struggling Joe Kreis, who has scored just once in the Premier League since mid-September.
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Arteta said the team and the 27-year-old forward, who joined the club from Sporting Lisbon in July, must adapt to each other.
“We have to get the player in the best possible condition to explode and reach his potential and then certain things in the role have to be fulfilled in the way we play and it’s a combination of the two,” he said.
He added: “It took him a while at the beginning because it was a different league, different demands, he didn’t have pre-season and now he is starting to gain some momentum. The goals will come and we will be very happy with him.”
Arsenal are two points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League ahead of the visit of Wolves, who have lost their last eight league games.
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Arteta was noncommittal about the possibility of several starting players returning for this game, including centre-back William Saliba and midfielder Declan Rice.
He said both men would be assessed ahead of the game at the Emirates Stadium, adding there was also uncertainty over the fitness of Julien Wood and Trossard.
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