Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face competition in race for Gabriel Jesus

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face competition to secure the signature of departing Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus this summer.

The number of potential landing spots for Gabriel Jesus has been aplenty since it was announced that a mutual decision for him to leave Manchester City had been reached.

Jesus, who aptly produced his best performances in a Man City shirt in the fixtures succeeding the announcement, has two years remaining on his contract.

Despite the 25-year-old being committed to a further two years in principle, it is clear the club are looking toward the future regarding the striker position after the signings of both Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Pep Guardiola’s achievements have been lauded alongside a notion that his fourth Premier League title was won without the presence of an archetypal number ‘9’ leading the attack.

However, Pep did have one in his possession in Jesus but just decided not to use him – or not for the role in question at least.

A record of seven goals and two assists in his final ten matches in all competitions highlights the upturn in the Brazilian’s form as the season drew to a close.

This could be looked at in two senses, with Jesus either seeking to prove his worth to his current manager or simply to put himself in a good light ahead of a summer move.

Either way, the seemingly ever-young striker can take confidence from his late flurry at a stage of reckoning in his professional career.

Are Mikel Arteta and Arsenal leading the race for Gabriel Jesus?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s search for a striker appears to have led him to his former colleague, Guardiola’s door, with Gabriel Jesus reportedly top of his list of targets.

Arteta himself was forced to make do with subpar options in the position in 21/22 after first-choice striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed in January.

The Gunners missed out on the highly rated Dusan Vlahovic in the winter transfer window and have also been linked with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Roma’s Tammy Abraham.

David Ornstein of The Athletic, however, reports Arteta has zeroed in on his target. As quoted by football.london, he stated: “I’m away but as far as I know Jesus and Nketiah are the current priority/plan.”

Well thought of across the continent, Jesus isn’t short of potential suitors that could again leave Arteta left wanting.

“Many top clubs are on Gabriel Jesus, but the one in pole position is Arsenal,” Brazilian journalist Rodrigo Oliveira told Calcio Mercato, as quoted by Sport Witness.

"“The player wants to leave Manchester City. Jesus is very close to signing with the Gunners, he is very suited to English football and wants to stay in England and Arsenal want to make a good offer, so Arsenal will probably take on Gabriel Jesus, who lost space with Brazil in the recent months.“Many players have overtaken him in the hierarchy [national team], which is why he wants to stay in England. At the same time, Arsenal are ready to make a great offer, perhaps even for €50-60m and are in pole position.”"

The Emirates Stadium is no doubt the most likely destination for Gabriel Jesus and considering style of play alongside the similarities between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola it also appears the best fit for all concerned.