Napoli star signs and Havertz axed – How Arsenal can unlock Jesus

Arsenal fans might still be crowing over the promising signing of Ricardo Calafiorni, but the notion remains that it’s their attack they have to address in order to finally overhaul Manchester City and win the Premier League. The Gunners finished just two points off the pace in the 2023/24 season, and it was only the eventual champions who bettered their league goal tally of 86.

And yet, Mikel Arteta continues to be plagued by the perception his team lack the clinical finisher needed to truly establish themselves amongst the elite.

It’s a requirement that Gabriel Jesus has failed to fulfil since his £45million move from City two years ago, with his total of 19 goals in 59 appearances unlikely to have Thierry Henry panicking about his club record tally anytime soon.

That’s not to say the 27-year-old is considered a flop in north London. The Brazilian has proved popular with supporters due to his work rate and willingness to create for team-mates, and it’s seemingly only more consistency in front of goal preventing him from being up there with Europe’s best forwards.

One of the challenges ahead for Arteta is to somehow get the very best out of the Palmeiras youth product. Staying fit for more than a few weeks at a time would help of course, but the Spaniard may now need to spend big on a new player in order to unlock the true potential of one already in his squad.

Deploying Jesus as a central striker has proven fruitful and frustrating in equal measures. His tendency to drop deep and pull wide has regularly freed up space for the likes of Bukayo Saka to exploit, and his ability to link-up play should not go unheralded either.

But too often, when Arsenal have needed a No.9 to turn balls into the danger zone into goals, Jesus has not done the honours. And at just 5ft 7ins, the lack of physical presence means that when a more direct plan B is needed, there’s little chance of him playing the battering ram role.

One player who would be perfect for such a situation, of course, is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. The 25-year-old still appears to have his heart set on a move to the Premier League, and if Arsenal can negotiate the player sales to fund a move, signing the Nigerian would be a no-brainer.

Playing Osimhen down the middle would allow Jesus to start in a wider role, able to come in off the left-hand side and link with the current African Player of the Year. And the pair could ultimately compliment each other when it comes to creating chances.

Osimhen’s strength in the air and hold-up play would allow his pacy team-mate to gamble on getting in behind defences, presenting new problems for Premier League defences. But it is that very speed off the mark which could mean curtains for another of Arteta’s big-money signings Kai Havertz, despite his improvement as the last campaign wore on.

Fitting Jesus, Havertz, and Saka around Osimhen in a kamikaze formation more akin to Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle would not be feasible for Arsenal. With Saka’s place a certainty, Arteta would need to make the brave call to confine Havertz to a bit-part role.

Suppressing his German star though, may just allow his Brazilian one to flourish. And it may just be the golden ticket to the top-flight title the club craves.