Jesus: I want new Arsenal contract
GABRIEL JESUS has called on Arsenal to offer him a new contract so he can fulfil his dream of winning multiple trophies at the club.
The 28-year-old had a torrid last year having returned to the squad last month after 11 months out with an ACL injury. His deal expires in the summer next year and Brazilian side Palmeiras, where Jesus started his career, have registered their interest in the striker. Arsenal are understood to be open to selling Jesus — but he is desperate to show his worth in the second half of the season. Ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League match at Inter Milan tonight, where they need a point to secure automatic qualification to the last 16, Jesus said: ‘This is my fourth season at Arsenal and unfortunately I played maybe one-and-a-half or two seasons, then the rest (I had) injuries. ‘That never happened with me before, but it has happened here. I don’t know why. ‘My first target is to be healthy until the end of the season. Then, like I said before, my wish is to stay at Arsenal. I want to extend my contract, I want to stay, I want to win trophies with Arsenal because I came here with a purpose and that’s it.’
Jesus also sprung to the defence of Viktor Gyokeres, who has been widely criticised for a slow start to his Gunners career following his £64million move from Sporting Lisbon. The Swede scored and provided an assist in last week’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win at Chelsea, only to follow that up with a lacklustre display in last Saturday’s goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.
But Jesus insisted: ‘Vik is an amazing player. He’s a striker who can score goals every time, at any minute.
‘I have been in the position Vik is in now, and that is not easy. But I’m sure everyone here — not only the coach and staff, the players as well — are going to support him and give him the belief he is here to help us. ‘He has helped already a lot. Every game he has helped with something — sometimes not scoring, but he helped with another movement or fighting to win the game.’