Arsenal have already answered Gabriel Jesus' Premier League doubts with £38m transfer

Arsenal will finally repair an issue raised by Gabriel Jesus with the imminent arrival of Jurrien Timber. The Gunners are supposedly close to completing a £38million move for the Ajax defender as Mikel Arteta plans another Premier League title bid. 

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Brazilian striker Jesus has claimed that Arsenal were weaker without star defender William Saliba towards the end of last season. A back injury ended Saliba’s season prematurely, with the 21-year-old failing to make an appearance beyond March. 

While not the solitary reason Arsenal’s title challenge collapsed, the Frenchman’s absence saw Mikel Arteta’s side struggle defensively. Jesus believes that neither of Saliba’s replacements - first Rob Holding and then Jakub Kiwior - were able to have the same impact as the young centre-back. 

"When he [Saliba] plays, we concede few goals, when he doesn't play, the number [of goals conceded] increases,” the striker told Denilson Show, speaking in Portuguese. 

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. MoreHe pointed out that the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard were capable replacements when attacking players were injured. But did not believe that Arsenal had the same strength in depth defensively due to the way Arteta's team play out from the back.

Jesus continued: "When I got injured, Eddie replaced me very well. Then we signed Leo (Trossard). We kept the pace. 

“But when Saliba got injured, it was complicated. The other defenders are good, but we were playing in a certain way. Look at the stats, we concede a lot less with him."

However, Arsenal will hope that a lack of depth in defence will no longer be an issue. Exciting defender Kiwior arrived in January and, next season, he will have improved experience of Premier League football and be able to contribute more to Arteta’s side.