“There is no doubt about it” - Martin Keown suggests Arsenal must replace 27-year-old star after Monaco win

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has advised the club to part ways with striker Gabriel Jesus and bring in a prolific goalscorer after watching the side face AS Monaco. The Gunners picked up a convincing 3-0 victory to rise to third on the log, boosting their hopes of sealing a direct Round of 16 ticket.

Mikel Arteta opted for Brazil international Jesus to lead the line as his side welcomed Monaco to the Emirates in the Champions League. They were too strong for the Ligue 1 side, but not all parts of their game were satisfactory to their fans.

Speaking as a pundit on TNT Sports, Martin Keown advised the club to get another striker who can find the net regularly, unlike Jesus. He praised the former Manchester City man for bringing experience and quality to the club but knocked him for his lack of goals.

"We talk about Havertz and Jesus – they need to score more goals and be more ruthless," Keown said. "There is no doubt about it. I think they could do with that different tool in the box, that player who can find an opportunity out of nothing. Jesus has come with a lot of experience, he has bought a lot to the group, but he wants his goals on the pitch. He has played his part but Arsenal need that prolific goalscorer to put these opportunities away."

Gabriel Jesus has been with the Gunners since 2022, when he joined them from Manchester City for £45 million. The 27-year-old has only managed four league goals since the start of the 2023-24 season, a disappointing tally. He lost his place in attack to Kai Havertz, who has produced better numbers in front of goal, with five league goals this term, alone.

Jesus has found the net once in 19 appearances for the Gunners this season, with manager Arteta ruling out a sale in his press conference this week. The Brazilian striker will likely not get many more opportunities before he is sold by the club.

Arsenal cruise to win over Monaco in Champions League

Arsenal hardly needed to get out of second gear as they picked up a dominant 3-0 win over French outfit AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League (December 11). The result puts Mikel Arteta's side in third place on 13 points from six games, and in a strong position for a top eight finish.

Bukayo Saka finished off a low cross from Gabriel Jesus to give Arsenal the lead in the 34th minute. The Englishman doubled his side's lead in the 78th minute when he took advantage of a mix-up at the back to score their second.

Kai Havertz came off the bench and added a third goal for his side two minutes from time to secure a dominant win for them. The Gunners kept a clean sheet, inflicting a second successive Champions League defeat on Monaco.