Arsenal transfer news: Bold Gabriel Jesus future claim made after Viktor Gyokeres signing confirmed

Arsenal duo Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus could both still have a "big part" to play at the Emirates Stadium despite the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, Gunners legend Alan Smith has told Sports Mole.

The three-time Premier League champions finally announced the eagerly-anticipated signing of Gyokeres on Saturday evening, as Gooners welcomed the new prolific number nine they have been crying out for since 2023.

Arsenal's attack was debilitated by serious injuries to Havertz and Jesus last season, but the former is now back in action after a hamstring problem, and Smith can envisage a scenario where the German still gets the nod over Gyokeres up front.

“With so many games, he's going to be in and around that starting 11 quite often," Smith said. "So it might be horses for courses; certain opponents Arteta feels that Havertz would be a better option than Gyokeres.

“He’ll probably play fewer games, but he's been a great signing, scored important goals playing in that false nine and in other positions as well. He is a very good footballer, a vital part of that squad. He’s still got a big part to play.”

Smith makes bold Jesus claim as Arsenal 'consider' transfer exit

While there are no doubts over Havertz's future, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is supposedly exploring the sale of Jesus, who has been the subject of enquiries from teams in both Europe and his native Brazil.

The 28-year-old will be out for another few months with an ACL injury, but he shone during a brief renaissance in late 2024 and early 2025, scoring six goals in four games across the Premier League and EFL Cup.

Even though Jesus may not be back in action until the beginning of 2026, Smith insists that the injury-plagued South American's resurgence last year is a sign that he can still come good for Arteta when he returns to full fitness.

“Jesus, you can't discount him as well," Smith added. "You think about how well he did when he came back into the team then unfortunately got injured. You've got these players on the books that are easy to forget about, but they can still play a big part.

“You don't want deadwood in the team, that's for certain. So the players that do come in, they have to be of a high level, and getting players to join who might think, 'Oh, am I going to be first choice?' If they're top quality players, it's hard to get them in. So it's a balancing act.

“You don't want players sat on the touch line who are going to kick up a fuss, create a bad atmosphere. You want good, solid citizens that are all pulling together.”

Should Arsenal keep or sell Jesus amid transfer links?

Now that Takehiro Tomiyasu is a free agent, you would be hard-pressed to find an unluckier member of the current Arsenal squad than Jesus, whose knees have failed him ever since he joined the Gunners.

The 28-year-old is not getting any younger and is also in the final two years of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, a strong incentive for Berta to sell given that no extension is in the offing.

However, Jesus's value could even increase next summer if he comes back and hits the ground running in the second half of the 2025-26 season, although Arsenal cannot abide by hypothetical scenarios.

If the ex-Manchester City striker decides that he wants to continue his rehabilitation elsewhere, Arsenal should not block him from doing so, as he would likely only be their third-choice centre-forward when all of Arteta's options are fully fit.

Alan Smith was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.