Arsenal legend Alan Smith has urged Mikel Arteta to ‘move on’ Gabriel Jesus – but wants his former club to keep hold of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
The former Gunners striker fears for Jesus’ game-time after Arsenal spent £64m to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.
Arsenal signed Jesus from Manchester City in 2022 and the £45m signing was initially a key member of Arteta’s squad, making 69 appearances during his first two seasons at the Emirates Stadium.
But a serious injury limited Jesus to 17 Premier League appearances last term and Arteta made signing a new striker his priority this summer.
Brazil international Jesus has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer and Smith believes now is the right time to ‘move him on’.
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But Smith would be ‘tempted’ to keep both Martinelli and Trossard in north London, two other players who have been heavily linked with summer moves.
Martinelli and Trossard are both believed to be weighing up their future at Arsenal as Arteta looks to sign England international Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
Martinelli has attracted interest from several European clubs while two Premier League sides are said to be monitoring Trossard’s situation at Arsenal.
Asked about possible Arsenal departures before the transfer deadline, Smith told Metro via BestBettingSites: ‘I think somebody like Gabriel Jesus might go given his track record with injuries.
‘He might be one that you say, thanks, and try and move him on, get a bit of money in. Obviously, with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, there might not be too many opportunities for him this season.
‘I would be tempted to keep Leandro Trossard because he’s a versatile player who’s done well and scored important goals.
‘I don’t think you’d want to lose him. And the same with Martinelli actually – he didn’t have the best of seasons, but I think you definitely want to keep him.’
As well as signing Gyokeres this summer, Arsenal have brought in Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard.
Alan Smith rates Arsenal’s summer signings
Rating Arsenal’s summer signings, Smith added: ‘We’ll start with Gyokeres. I mean, it’s potentially their best signing. Much sought after, so it’s a 9/10. We can’t give him 10 just yet, but it’s great to get him on board.
‘I think Zubimendi is another really good signing. He’s a really, really good and quality player, hopefully he’ll be a 9/10 as well.
‘With Kepa, it’s hard to get second-string keepers and he’s experienced, so I think they’ve done well there with him. You wonder about keepers that are happy to come as a number two, but that’s an 8/10, I think.
‘I think the Madueke move surprised a lot of people, and even frustrated a few Arsenal fans. But he’s versatile, and I’m hoping he’ll be a good squad player, maybe a 7/10.
‘Norgaard is a good figure, a real solid citizen. Another good squad player, somebody that won’t let you down, you can trust, so that’s a 7/10.’
Arsenal face Athletic Bilbao in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday before beginning their Premier League campaign next weekend against Manchester United.
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