Offer rejected: Arsenal submit bid to sign "incredible" CF who can oust Gabriel Jesus - opinion

scoring six goals in his last five matches in all competitions.

His namesake, however, might well have the power to usurp him should he arrive this winter from Botafogo.

Via a stint in Dubai and back to his homeland, Igor Jesus has been on fire over the last year, racking up a haul of 25 goals and nine assists in 56 matches during 2023/24, subsequently hailed for his "incredible" performances by journalist Zach Lowy.

He's a regular at finding the back of the net and like Jesus, has done so in their Brazilian homeland.

Igor Jesus vs Gabriel Jesus in BraziStat

Igor Jesus

Gabriel Jesus

Games

80

83

Goals

13

28

Assists

7

8

Igor Jesus vs Gabriel Jesus since 2023/24

Stat

Igor Jesus

Gabriel Jesus

Games

56

61

Goals

25

15

Assists

9

10

Stats via Transfermarkt.

Aged 23, there is a lot of potential still to extract from the Botafogo star and he doesn't just offer goals. His play looks more well-rounded than that.

Botafogo-Igor-Jesus

According to stats-based platform FBref, Igor ranks among the top 18% of positionally similar players across leagues adjudged to be comparable in quality to the Brazilian top-flight for progressive passes, highlighting his ability to drop deep and create for others.

A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.

To illuminate that further, he sits in the top 9% of forwards for assists and among the best 11% for shot-creating actions.

Jesus is even pretty good in the air, winning 3.42 aerial duels per 90, enough to rank him in the best 21% for that metric. For context, his namesake has only won 1.18 aerial battles in the Premier League this season. Kai Havertz, meanwhile, has won 3.61 in the league throughout 2024/25, only just slightly more.

So, on that evidence, he could well be a fine acquisition this January and a cost-effective one at that.

Arsenal not only need a goalscorer but they need a chance creator and someone capable of winning duels; Igor Jesus could well be that man.

Joao-Pedro-Brighton-Gabriel-Jesus-Arsenal