Former midfielder Craig Burley has warned Gabriel Jesus that are a way off challenging for major honours and urged the striker to ‘sit and wait’ on his future.
The Gunners are targeting a centre-forward this summer as a priority after left in the January window and the confirmation of Alexandre Lacazette’s departure once his contract expires at the end of June.
Jesus, who has just a year left on his deal with City, has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
The Brazil international’s playing time has been limited, with the forward also used in a multitude of positions across City’s attack last season.
Given the arrival of Erling Haaland in the summer, Jesus’ minutes would be lessened even further should he remain at the club.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will be without Champions League football next season after narrowly losing out to Tottenham in the race for the top four.
Burley has questioned whether Jesus can be fully convinced about a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
‘It’s a difficult one. They need to get players in that are going to fill that position for sure. They’ve got some youngsters that have filled the wider positions and [Martin] Odegaard in behind,’ Burley told ESPN FC.
‘I think if I was Jesus, I think I would be inclined to sit and wait, particularly with a year left. Whether Man City try and dissuade him from doing that by suggesting there won’t be many minutes of game time [next season], I don’t know. Of course, their squad is going to be bolstered by some new signings.
‘It’s a difficult one for the player because he’s good enough to go somewhere and become this striker again that we know he is. He’s been utilised in many positions and has done a good job.
‘It’s whether you could persuade him to go to Arsenal where, is it all about the project?
‘At the end of the day, Arsenal are a long chunk off challenging for major honours.’
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