Mikel Arteta finally loses it with £45m star as Arsenal talks set to restart

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta appears to have finally lost faith in Gabriel Jesus as speculation mounts he is set to reignite interest in one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers. The Brazilian is yet to score in eight club games this season, continuing his underwhelming record in an Arsenal shirt. 

The forward was hailed as a crucial signing by Arsenal fans when he signed from Manchester City for £45million in the summer of 2022, but has since scored just 19 times in 77 appearances.

His time in north London has also been plagued by injuries, having already missed a fortnight of this campaign with a hamstring problem.

Last summer, his future at Arsenal looked in jeopardy with the club linked to the likes of Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokores, and Benjamin Sesko. However, a move for a big-money striker never materialised, with Arteta instead opting to strengthen elsewhere by signing Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino.

Interest in Sesko in particular appeared to cool in June after he signed a new deal at Red Bull Leipzig, extending his contract until 2029. The Slovenian also underwhelmed at Euro 2024, failing to score for his county in any of their four matches.

However, the 21-year-old has started the current campaign on fire by scoring six times, including a brace in the Champions League against Juventus. And his form has seemingly prompted Arteta to plan a bid in 2025.

According to TEAMtalk, the two clubs have already opened talks and have an agreement in place. Despite Sesko’s new deal, his contract is said to have a £55m release clause and the Premier League club have been told they can have priority over talks as soon as that fee is met.

Sesko also appears to fit the mould or Arteta’s current philosophy at Arsenal. The Spaniard has honed his focus on younger signings, with the striker long billed as a future star at both club and international level.

Since signing for the German outfit from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, Sesko has struck 24 times in 51 club games. And despite his struggles this summer, his Slovenia strike rate remains impressive at 15 goals in 35 matches.

Despite leading the club to consecutive second-placed finishes in the Premier League, Arteta has been plagued by the notion that his side still lack the clinical finisher required to land a first league title in 21 years. Bukayo Saka was the club’s top scorer in the 2023/24 campaign, with 20 goals.

Kai Havertz is currently leading the way this time around, having struck six times in all competitions. Jesus meanwhile, has not struck since the Premier League win over Nottingham Forest on January 30, 2024.