With the new season a few weeks away, Arsenal have landed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, but there have been mixed reactions from Nigerian fans if he is the ‘Messiah’ the Gunners have been waiting for, to fire them to long-awaited glory, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Gunners splashed out £45m to secure Jesus’ signature on Monday and will be hoping to see the 25-year-old South American hit the ground running at the Emirates Stadium, with his arrival from the reigning Premier League champions quite a coup.
Arsenal have been on the lookout for a new front man since the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona in January and went into the summer transfer window with their priority very clear.
They wanted a striker they could build their attack around, with Mikel Arteta adamant that Jesus was the ideal man for the job, having worked with him during his time at Manchester City.
Jesus is a proven performer in the English topflight, but playing at Arsenal will prove a great challenge for the Brazilian as the Gunners seek to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2016, when they were knocked out of the competition by Barcelona.
The North London club have confirmed that their new signing will don the No.9 jersey vacated by Alexandre Lacazette.
Coming to Arsenal with a personal record of going unbeaten in the 47 games he had scored in the Premier League (44 wins, three draws), the Gunners will be banking on their talisman to return them to the greatest height.
Speaking with PUNCH Sports Extra, fans, however, shared different opinion on the arrival of their star man.
A US-based Arsenal fan, Segun Aringbanla, casted doubts over the Brazilian Jesus bringing the desired ‘salvation’ to Arsenal.
“Jesus is not the saviour that Arsenal need, but he will form a huge part of the team,” Arigbanla told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“He was part of a record-breaking Manchester City side but he might not be able to replicate that at Arsenal because we don’t have the strength. Arsenal need a team like that 2004 invincible side, where the bench was as strong as the starting 11 to be able to win the league again or even compete in the Champions League.
“For me, he is not going to bring any form of salvation because Arsenal need a whole lot of messiahs, but he is a good addition.”
Another Arsenal fan, Kazeem Lukman, shared similar opinion.
“We have to give him a benefit of the doubt because the coach wanted him and I am sure he understands him better.
“He was a former player of Arteta during his time at Manchester City but we just have to believe in the coach. I also have my doubts about the player but the fact that he had played in the Premier League before will give him an edge. I don’t want to pre-empt until the season starts and I will suggest we give him time.”
Sports journalist, Anthony Brekedemo, a Gunners supporter, says only a change of manager will turn Arsenal’s fortune around.
“Jesus is not the saviour and I don’t see him saving anything,” he told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“Is it something he hasn’t done before that he will do at Arsenal? Yes, he will try, but at the end of the day, nothing. Arsenal’s problem is coaching because Arteta is not that good but still learning.”
With a proven record in the EPL, Akintunde Nicholas, however, believes the new No.9 will excel.
“He is not the messiah but I believe he can fit into the Arsenal style of play because he is good playing the ball on the ground and he also has the speed,” he said.
“I am confident that he will fit in perfectly, even though he might not be as good as Sergio Aguero, but let’s watch him in the first season. I believe he will bring a lot to the club, even though he may struggle in the first season, but Jesus will become an excellent player.”
Taylor Gang Gunners added, “What a signing this is. Honestly, I’ve wish-listed him for a while.
“He’s going to be a real asset to us and allow us to play high-pressure football. Really excited about what he’s going to bring.”
Ekene Gabriel jokingly said, “We share the same name and I will tip him for greatness.
“But the truth is you cannot take away the quality he possesses and I am confident that he will score a lot of goals at Arsenal.”
“Everyone better support Arsenal because we now have two prophets: Elneny “Mohammed” and “Jesus”. Good prophecies will soon come to pass,” Tijani Durodola stated on the arrival of Jesus.
Victor Iruola was also optimistic that the new buy will bring good luck to the club.
“We all know when Jesus comes into a place people always follow the mission. We are not just talking prophets, we are including angels too,” he added.
