Gabriel Jesus has expressed his desire to remain at Arsenal beyond the end of his current contract, but he acknowledges that the club has not yet initiated discussions regarding a renewal.
The 28-year-old made his comeback in December after spending 11 months sidelined due to a knee injury. However, he faces fierce competition for a starting position following the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon last summer and the return of Kai Havertz.
Both Jesus and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta have refuted rumors about Jesus leaving during the January transfer window. Speaking on Monday ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro, Jesus reiterated his commitment.
When asked if he would like to stay at Arsenal after his contract expires in 2027, Jesus responded: “My main goal is to ensure I stay healthy. This is my fourth season at Arsenal, but I’ve only played about one and a half to two seasons due to injuries.”
“It’s unfortunate because this wasn’t a recurring issue for me, but it has happened here for reasons I can’t explain. I’ve stopped questioning it and now focus on getting fit. My ambition is to stay healthy until the end of the season.”
“As I’ve mentioned before, I wish to remain at Arsenal. I have a contract, and I’d like to extend it if possible.”
“I want to stay and strive to win trophies with Arsenal because I joined with that purpose. However, reality can sometimes differ.”
“There are circumstances that might change things, but my primary focus is on maintaining my health and winning trophies with Arsenal.”
When pressed about potential discussions for a new contract, Jesus replied, “No.”
He also voiced confidence in Gyökeres’ ability to succeed with Arsenal despite a challenging start to his tenure following his €63.5 million ($73.9m) transfer.
The Swedish striker has netted just eight goals in 26 appearances, but Jesus believes in his talent: “He’s a top striker. He scored many goals at his previous club, and I’m confident he will find his form here, which will benefit us.”
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“He’s a striker capable of scoring goals at any moment, and Kai is also an incredible player. I’m thrilled to have returned after such a long injury. Coming back after 11 months has been the toughest challenge of my life, and I’m grateful for my recovery.”
“In a great club like Arsenal, no player is assured a guaranteed spot. We are all here to support Arsenal in winning matches and, ultimately, trophies at the end of the season.”
Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié, and Max Dowman are recovering from injuries in London as Arsenal prepares for their fourth consecutive away match across different competitions, a historic feat for an English top-flight team.
Arteta noted, “We must take it one game at a time.”
“While it’s tempting to look ahead, what truly matters is the next match. We’ve spent too much time contemplating the future, only to face unexpected changes. It’s essential to approach each game with enthusiasm and focus on what each match may bring.”
Arsenal currently holds the top position in the Champions League table, and while securing a spot in the top two guarantees home advantage for knockout rounds, finishing in the top eight would mean they avoid a two-legged playoff to reach the last 16.
“That’s significant; we’re aware of that,” Arteta emphasized. “Winning our next match will help achieve that goal, so let’s make it happen.”