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Shirt numbers available to Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal

Sports Mole takes a look at the shirt numbers available to Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal ahead of an anticipated transfer from Manchester City.

Arsenal reportedly remain determined to strike a deal for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Alexandre Lacazette will follow Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the exit door at the end of the month, which only intensifies Mikel Arteta's need for attacking reinforcements.

Jesus has allegedly already agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a summer move, and the onus is now on the Gunners to agree a fee with the Premier League champions, who are playing hardball.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the shirt numbers which could be available to Jesus at the Emirates should Arsenal's pursuit of the Brazilian bear fruit.


Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their second goal against Real Madrid on April 26, 2022© Reuters

For the past three seasons, Jesus has held the distinct honour of being Pep Guardiola's number nine, and that jersey will be up for grabs when its current occupant Lacazette leaves the Emirates.

One would imagine that the Frenchman's replacement would automatically inherit his jersey, and a mixture of revered names and forgettable transfers have donned that number for Arsenal down the years.

Jesus could follow in the footsteps of Nicolas Anelka, Alan Smith and the late Jose Antonio Reyes with the '9', but the likes of Lucas Perez and Park Chu-young also sported the same shirt during their disappointing stints at the club.

Should Jesus opt for a different flavour, the former Palmeiras man consistently wore the number 33 during his time in his homeland, and City would hand him that jersey between 2016 and 2018.

Brazil's Gabriel Jesus pictured on October 10, 2021© Reuters

Traditionally, that number has been held by goalkeepers at Arsenal, with the young Arthur Okonkwo currently in possession of the '33' following Petr Cech, Matt Macey and Mathew Ryan's stints.

Nevertheless, Jesus could potentially have his pick of the '33' if Okonkwo is sent out on loan for the 2022-23 season, and the most recent striker to hold that jersey for Arsenal was Nicklas Bendtner in 2005-06.

In terms of current vacant numbers at Arsenal, the '12' has been vacated since Willian's exit and was in Olivier Giroud's possession for several years, while Thierry Henry wore the same shirt during his brief return in 2012.

Henry, Aubameyang and Theo Walcott's famed number '14' is also up for grabs if Jesus can handle the weight of such a revered jersey, but Arsenal could still face stiff competition for the striker's services.


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Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their second goal against Real Madrid on April 26, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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