Gabriel Jesus open to Arsenal stay but admits future is uncertain ahead of PSG final

Gabriel Jesus has broken his silence on transfer rumours surrounding his Arsenal future, telling ESPN Brazil he wants to stay and prove himself — though he acknowledged uncertainty about what lies ahead, with just 12 months remaining on his contract.

The 29-year-old Brazilian scored in Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday, a result that served as the Gunners’ final Premier League fixture before their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Mikel Arteta handed Jesus the captain’s armband for that game, a gesture that carried its own significance given the ongoing speculation about his future at the Emirates.

“The future belongs to God. I still have one year left on my Arsenal contract,” Jesus told ESPN Brazil. “I want to play and prove to myself that I can still play at a high level.”

Jesus is Arsenal’s third-highest earner — behind Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka — on a reported £265,000 per week, despite managing just 11 starts across all competitions this season. A torn ACL ruled him out for much of the first half of the campaign, and the summer arrival of Viktor Gyokeres further reduced his standing in Arteta’s striker hierarchy.

His contract situation means a decision cannot be deferred indefinitely. Arsenal are reported to be open to allowing Jesus to leave if a club is willing to contribute to his wages, though the club has not publicly ruled out an extension. Jesus himself appears to be in a similar state of uncertainty, suggesting no firm conversations have taken place.

What is clear is that Arteta has not written the striker off. Awarding him the captaincy against Palace — even with a rotated squad — signals a degree of respect for his contribution, and Jesus will be hoping for involvement in Budapest as Arsenal chase a first European Cup in their history.

The Gunners arrive at the final having already secured the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, ending a drought that stretched back beyond the era of the Invincibles. A win over PSG would complete a continental double and mark the most significant chapter in the club’s modern history.