22 November 2023 , 17:58
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Mikel Arteta has been given further incentive to pursue his interest in signing Ivan Toney in January following a candid admission from striker Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian striker failed to get on the scoresheet as his side were beaten 1-0 by arch rivals Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night, in a game overshadowed by crowd trouble. It continued the 26-year-old's dubious goal record for the Selecao, with his total of 19 strikes in 63 games equating to less than one every three games.
Jesus has been under pressure from his country's fans after failing to find the net at the 2018 World Cup, despite starting five games. His campaign in Qatar last year was curtailed by a knee injury which ruled him out for three months.
And Arsenal's £45million signing, despite impressing with his all-round play, has also been criticised for not being prolific since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2022. He's scored just 15 times in 44 club appearances, a notion that has undoubtedly concerned Arteta.
Somewhat alarmingly for a forward, while on international duty Jesus has admitted goals are not his "strong point." Speaking to Terra , he was asked what he'd learnt about his experience in the tournament.
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“I am a more mature man, more educated, a family man," he said. "I understand football is a priority for me, and I know I need to be well to do my best, especially in the Brazilian team.
Mikel Arteta is targeting a new striker in January despite having Gabriel Jesus in his squad (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Arsenal sign in January? Comment below.
“There are things that I don’t control. I train, I look for, I try, I move, I help the team. The goal is inevitable. I believe it’s not my strong point, but I score goals and I’m there to score goals."
Mirror Football understands that Arteta has made Brentford star Toney his number-one transfer target for January despite him currently being suspended for breaching betting rules. The one-cap England international, who scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season will be available from January 17.
Brentford are reportedly prepared to sell, but only if their £60million valuation is met. And that could prove a stumbling Arteta, with the club seemingly need to sell before they can buy big again following their £200million summer spree.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville recently expressed his concerns about Jesus and Eddie Nketiah admitting: "They’re erratic. They’re not wired, are they, to score goals naturally. Instinctively they don’t make the runs that you see goalscorers make.”
“I just look at Jesus, he is quite erratic in front of goal. The work ethic of both of them is brilliant, I just question, at that level, can they win the league without another striker?”