Arsenal Backed To Sign Chelsea Star In Deal That Would Upset Gabriel Jesus And Martinelli

Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has expressed his belief that Arsenal should pursue a deal for Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku, even if it means unsettling Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.

Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea this summer after his loan spell at Inter Milan. Although he scored 14 goals in 35 appearances, his time in Italy hasn’t unfolded as expected.

As incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino prepares to take charge on July 1, he will have a decision to make regarding Lukaku’s future.

The Belgian forward still has three years remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract, following his £97.5 million move in 2021.

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However, if Pochettino doesn’t see Lukaku in his plans, Bent firmly believes that Arsenal should seize the opportunity to sign him.

During an appearance on talkSPORT, when asked if he would take Lukaku at Arsenal, Bent confidently replied, “Yes, without a doubt.”

Bringing Lukaku to the Emirates would bolster Arsenal’s striking options alongside Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, with Folarin Balogun also returning from his loan in France.

Bent doesn’t foresee Lukaku’s arrival leading to the departure of an existing attacker, stating, “No, I’m not getting rid of anyone, but I’d have him.”

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Moreover, Bent is convinced that Lukaku would outscore Jesus who found the net 11 times in his injury-affected debut season with Arsenal.

According to Bent, Lukaku possesses the qualities of a striker that Arsenal have missed at times throughout the current campaign.

He remarked, “Do you know what? He would get us more goals than Gabriel Jesus. What Gabriel Jesus did at Arsenal [this season] was brilliant, but there were times he would frustrate me because he wasn’t in the box enough. There were times the ball would flash across the box and no one was in there – he’s on the edge of the box. But Lukaku, I know he’s in there.”

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If Lukaku were to join, Bent believes Jesus may have to compete with Martinelli for a starting role on the left side of Mikel Arteta’s attacking lineup.

Martinelli finished the season as Arsenal’s joint-top scorer with 15 goals, making it understandable that he would be disappointed to lose his starting spot.

Bent, however, is not concerned about potentially unsettling either Gabriel, concluding, “I’d start Gabriel Jesus on the left potentially.

Maybe [Martinelli will be benched], one or the other. It’s a squad game. But I would start Lukaku down the middle over Gabriel Jesus.”