Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has revealed he is disappointed with his lack of minutes but also assured that he will not request a transfer.
Jesus moved to Emirates Stadium in a £45m move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 – the fifth biggest fee shelled out since Arteta became manager and the seventh largest overall in Arsenal history.
However, despite making 14 appearances in all competitions this season, the 27-year-old has found himself regularly warming the bench, having been limited to a meagre 480 minutes of action so far this season.
Now with just one goal to his name and having fallen behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order for a central striker’s role, Jesus has admitted he is unhappy with his lack of game-time, though has promised Arteta he will not rock the boat and ask for a move, instead stating to TNT Sports Brasil of his determination to change his manager’s mind.
“Well, I believe that not only me, but any player, all players, want to have more minutes,” Jesus began when questioned after Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League defeat at Inter Milan.
“I’m obviously never going to cause anything in the club, I’m going to try to demonstrate on a daily basis, in training, and when I get into the games, have my chance, and do my thing and trust that things will happen.
“I’ve always made it very clear that I want to improve, that I want to try to do my best and help Arsenal.
“Obviously, my moment is not the best, it’s not the moment I wanted, that I would like, but as I said, I’m working on my own, trying to do my best, and get more minutes to play, but that’s a consequence of my training, it’s a consequence of the way I get in and leave the decision to the coach.
“I believe in my potential, and I also know that the fight for my place in Arsenal is big, but I also believe that I can help a lot.”
Capped 64 times by his country, Jesus is well aware his place in the Brazil national side will soon come under threat if he is not playing more regularly.
Limited to just one start in the Premier League so far this season and four more across the Champions League and Carabao Cups, the player’s lack of goals last season and so far this, has seen Arteta call upon the player less and less frequently.
Indeed, even at his previous club Manchester City, the player found himself more involved, despite often competing with the likes of Sergio Aguero for a regular shirt.