Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has publicly addressed his long-term future, confirming a heartfelt wish to return to his boyhood club, Palmeiras, while simultaneously committing his immediate future to the Gunners following a lengthy injury layoff.
Navigating Recovery and Future Ambitions
The Brazilian international, who has been sidelined since January with a torn ACL, has only just returned to full first-team training in recent weeks. The 28-year-old has scored 26 goals in 96 appearances for Arsenal since his £45 million move from Manchester City in 2022.
Despite his key role in his initial seasons in North London, a combination of fitness issues and a dip in form have seen him fall down the pecking order. This was further compounded by the summer arrival of striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, leading to reports that Arsenal are 'open' to offers for Jesus in the January transfer window.
'It Doesn't Make Sense to Leave Arsenal Now'
However, Jesus has moved to quash any immediate exit talk. In an interview with Brazilian outlet Revista Placar, the striker provided a clear and logical assessment of his current situation.
"Coming back from such a complex surgery, it doesn't make sense for me to leave Arsenal now," Jesus stated, emphasising his focus on regaining fitness and fighting for his place in Mikel Arteta's squad.
He also directly addressed the speculation surrounding his future, adding, "...there are journalists who are talking without any basis whatsoever."
The Enduring Dream of a Palmeiras Return
While his short-term focus is firmly on Arsenal, Jesus did not shy away from reaffirming his emotional connection to Palmeiras, the club where he made his professional debut in 2015.
"I've never had contact with another club, and my desire, as I say, is to return to Palmeiras, and Palmeiras' desire is for me to return," he revealed, confirming the mutual interest between player and club.
He was careful to note that any potential return would be handled professionally, stating, "When I feel it's time to return to Palmeiras, I'll decide that with Arsenal..." Jesus remains under contract at the Emirates Stadium until June 2027.
Arteta's Backing and the Fight for Minutes
As Jesus steps up his recovery, he faces increased competition for the central striker role from Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. Despite this, manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his strong belief in the four-time Premier League winner.
Praising the striker's character, Arteta said, "[He is] a player that is very unpredictable, full of energy, super competitive... The level of hunger and desire that he's going to bring to the team is going to be amazing."
Arteta also highlighted Jesus's importance as a squad option, especially with other attackers facing fitness issues, concluding, "We need those options, and what an option to have with Gabi."
Jesus's return to contention comes at a crucial period for Arsenal, who face a demanding run of fixtures after the international break, including high-stakes matches against Tottenham, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea.
