“My wish is to stay at Arsenal. I have a contract as well. I want to extend my contract, I want to stay, I want to win trophies with Arsenal because I came here with a purpose.”
These words from Gabriel Jesus encapsulate his commitment to Arsenal, even as he faced a challenging outing against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup. The match, held on March 8, 2026, saw Jesus struggle significantly, raising questions about his current standing within the team.
In the match, Jesus recorded just 35 touches of the ball, losing possession 10 times. His passing accuracy was notably low at 67%, and he managed only three shots, with just one hitting the target. This performance earned him a disappointing Sofascore rating of 6.1, the lowest among Arsenal players that day.
Despite these setbacks, Jesus remains hopeful about his future at the club. He expressed a clear desire to extend his contract with Arsenal, emphasizing his ambition to win trophies. This statement comes after a difficult year in which he missed most of 2025 due to an ACL injury, a setback that has impacted his form and position within the squad.
Currently, Jesus finds himself as Arsenal’s third-choice striker, behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. His recent performance against Mansfield Town has only intensified discussions about his role in the team. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, acknowledged the challenges faced by players like Jesus, stating, “Well, they had issues and they’ve been carrying issues.”
Declan Rice, another key player, reflected on the team’s struggles, saying, “Last year, the injuries killed us.” This sentiment resonates with Jesus, who is considered to be in the last phase of his time with Arsenal. As one of the club’s highest-paid players, his current form raises concerns about his future contributions.
Looking ahead, expectations are that Gabriel Jesus may be sold in the upcoming summer transfer window. His performance against Mansfield Town has sparked speculation about his longevity at the club, especially as Arsenal continues to evaluate its squad depth and performance.
As Arsenal prepares for the next phase of the season, the focus will be on resolving the issues that have plagued the team and ensuring that players like Jesus can regain their form. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any imminent changes, but the situation remains fluid as the club navigates its future.