Arsenal star sends clear 'I want to stay' message to Mikel Arteta amid uncertain future

Mikel Arteta has been sent a clear message about one Arsenal star's future ahead of his side's Champions League clash against Inter Milan at the San Siro

Gabriel Jesus wants to stay at Arsenal beyond his current deal and believes his side are getting closer to becoming Premier League champions. The forward, who moved to the Gunners from Manchester City back in 2022, is under contract until June 2027.

And the Brazil striker, who underwent surgery on his left knee last year after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury, has made it clear he wants to remain at Arsenal for many more years to come amid continued speculation that he could leave the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "I think my first target is to be healthy. This is my fourth season at Arsenal and maybe I play one and half, two seasons.

"I used to ask myself why? Now I don't ask myself anymore. My wish is to stay at Arsenal and then I have a contract as well.

"Obviously if you ask me, I want to extend my contract, I want to stay, I want to win trophies."

Premier League leaders Arsenal were unable to take full advantage of Manchester City’s defeat to Manchester United as they were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.

The Gunners now turn their attention to the Champions League, but questions about Arsenal and the title are never off the agenda.

And with his side seven points clear at the top of the table, Jesus admitted that the Gunners, after two near misses, are getting closer to winning the title.

"What I do think is that we are getting closer," he said. "Unfortunately the last three seasons we are here we finish in second.

"We are in a good way and a good shape. We are happy we are in the position that we are winning games. The last two we didn't win, but still it’s the Premier League; it is tough."

The Gunners face Inter Milan at the San Siro tomorrow night, and when asked if he believes his side can go all the way in Europe’s premier club competition, Jesus said: “I think every single player in every club that their team can win the Champions League. We believe, otherwise, why are we here? But there is a long way to come.”

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Jesus also opened up on his relations with Viktor Gyokeres, saying: "Vik is an amazing guy. Unfortunately when he come, when he signed, I wasn't there, I was doing my rehab in Brazil.

"Since I come back, we have a good relationship, we talk about football. We are the same age. I have played here, Premier League, longer than him and sometimes I give some opinion, sometimes he does, about goals, he is a top striker.

"He score a lot of goals in his previous club and I am sure he's going to do that here with us."

But when asked if the time had come for him to take the number one centre-forward spot, Jesus replied: "That is a tough question. Vik is a top player, he can score at any time and Kai is an amazing player. I am so happy that I have come back."