Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has publicly addressed swirling speculation about his future, making it clear his immediate focus remains on achieving success with the Gunners despite links to a sensational return to Brazil.
"Unfinished Business" at the Emirates
In a personal piece written for The Players' Tribune, the 28-year-old Brazilian international directly confronted the rumours. He revealed he has faced questions asking, "Why don’t you just leave? Why don’t you go to Saudi? Or back home to Brazil?"
While admitting that one day he would "love for everything to come full circle" with his boyhood club Palmeiras, Jesus was emphatic that now is not the time. "I feel that I have unfinished business at Arsenal. I don’t want to leave," he declared.
Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 after winning four Premier League titles, stated his purpose in moving to North London was unequivocal. "When I came here to join Mikel [Arteta], my purpose was not only to score goals. My purpose was to win titles," he wrote.
Defining His Role Beyond Goals
The forward also sought to redefine how fans and pundits perceive his contribution to the team. He recalled that when he first arrived in the Premier League, many saw him merely as a pure goalscorer. "But that’s not how I see myself," Jesus asserted. "My strongest trait is that I will do whatever it takes to help the team win titles."
He pointed to his versatile role during his trophy-laden spell at Manchester City, where he shared scoring duties with Sergio Agüero, played on the wing, and used his physicality to link play. "I think that’s why Mikel brought me here, years ago. I don’t always need to be the number 9 to help the team," Jesus explained, underlining his team-first mentality.
Ending his thoughts on a determined note, he added: "I am not still here for the weather, eh? I am here to make history."
Injury Comeback and Squad Competition
Jesus's commitment comes after a challenging period sidelined with a serious ACL injury sustained in an FA Cup tie against Manchester United back in January. He only recently returned to action, featuring in last weekend's 1-0 Premier League victory over Wolves.
In that match, his presence challenged defender Yerson Mosquera, who headed into his own net for the decisive goal. However, manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at continued competition for the starting striker role. When asked about midfielder Mikel Merino leading the line in the upcoming fixture against Everton, Arteta said, "He is an option and he has given us every reason as well to consider him in a really serious way. You look at the goals he has scored."
In the Wolves game, summer signing Viktor Gyokeres started up front, with Jesus coming on as a late substitute and Merino entering the fray in midfield.
Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League as the season approaches its midway point, having finished second in each of Jesus's three full campaigns at the club. The team's next challenge is a trip to face Everton, a match they could enter in second place should title rivals Manchester City win their earlier Saturday fixture against West Ham United.
