Arsenal yet to explore Jesus claim that could make life easier for Saka

Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed a stellar start to life at Arsenal after his £45million switch from Manchester City this summer with four goals from his opening seven games.

The Brazilian international has brought some much-needed energy to the Gunners forward line with his style of relentless pressing, something Mikel Arteta's side lacked last season with Alexandre Lacazette leading the line. Jesus' tireless work ethic has previously prompted his old boss Pep Guardiola to wax lyrical about the defensive aspects of his game.

"He's the best striker/defender I ever found to play in the three positions," the City manager claimed. "[He] can play five minutes, he plays the best five minutes of his life. He plays 90 minutes, he will give everything."

Guardiola is incredibly familiar with Jesus' game due to their shared time at the Etihad, so his comments on the forward's ability to play anywhere across the front-line should make everyone at Arsenal - including Arteta, sit up and take notice.

"He runs for everyone and when he scores, I am the happiest man. He can play in the three positions upfront and he does it really well," the City boss added.

This could solve a huge problem area for the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka's workload a big cause for concern in the eyes of Arteta. So much so, that Arsenal tried to bolster their options with another right-sided attacker to ease the strain on their 20-year-old sensation.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Arsenal deploy Jesus on the right to ease the burden on Saka? Comment below

It was a pursuit that ended in failure, with injuries to key figures in central midfield meaning Arteta's attentions soon shifted to try and address problems he had in the middle of the park.

With that in mind, the problem of Saka being Arsenal's only realistic option as a right-sided forward for the biggest games of the season still stands. It is an issue only deepened by the fact Arteta let club-record signing and right-winger Nicolas Pepe leave the club on loan to OGC Nice.

Jesus' fellow countryman Marquinhos has shown signs of early promise, but he is hardly someone Arteta should turn to in times of difficulty purely due to his inexperience.

Guardiola's suggestion is something that could benefit Arsenal over the course what is sure to be a long, gruelling and injury-hit season given the World Cup takes place near the half-way point of the league campaign.

However, Arteta should really only think to use Jesus out on the right when he absolutely has to, as the forward has already made his feelings clear on where he views his best position.

"I'm a No.9! I'm a striker, you know," he told the club website. "I'm so glad and I thank God every day that I can be alive, and that I can play in three or four different positions, but I think my position is nine."

As of yet, that is where Jesus has played - but he could venture further wide as the season goes on and the situation demands Saka at long last get a break.

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