"I actually think is a better player than Gyokeres" - Jamie Carragher makes bold claim about €20m rated Arsenal star

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has boldly claimed that Gabriel Jesus is a better option for Arsenal upfront than Viktor Gyokeres. He believes that the €20 million-rated Brazilian is a better player, but Mikel Merino should be the first choice.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said that Gyokeres is not going to be the first-choice striker under Mikel Arteta. he believes that Kai Havertz will eventually take over when he is back to full fitness, while Jesus and Merino are currently ahead of the Swedish striker and said (via Metro):

"Gyokeres has come in, we have to be honest, the word on the street before he came to the Premier League was, ‘we’re not sure whether he’s at the level of a really top European club’, which is what Arsenal are, one of the best teams in Europe. I think even though it’s early in his Arsenal reign, you can see where that sentiment was coming from. I actually think it’s going to be tough for Gyokeres to be the first-choice Arsenal striker."

"Especially when Gabriel Jesus gets up to speed, who I actually think is a better player than Gyokeres, I think Gyokeres will score more goals over season but I think in terms of everything you’d want from a centre-forward, I think Jesus is probably a better player."

Carragher went on to add that Merino as the false nine and said:

"Merino, right now, I actually think is first choice. I know Gyokeres played at the weekend, I think that was down to the fact he’d just come back from injury, he needed a game and it was also Wolves at home. Merino has been fantastic getting goals in that position, but almost like a false nine. Kai Havertz is almost another version of that."

The Gunners signed Gyokeres for £64 million in the summer from Sporting CP, and the striker has managed just four goals in 14 Premier League matches this season.

Arsenal will not sell Gabriel Jesus, says Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that the club will not sell Gabriel Jesus this summer. He added that the Brazilian will fight for the striker role this season and said:

"I don’t consider that (selling him), especially with the situation that we have right now. Gabriel has a lot to offer to the team and he’s proven that straight away in the first minute that he was available to play. He’s put so much to be in this position again and now the focus is to be with us.”

Jesus has played just 37 minutes in all competitions this season after returning from his ACL injury.