It sure sounds like Mikel Arteta has chosen between Gabriel Jesus & Viktor Gyökeres

Mikel Arteta is still deciding his preferred front three at Arsenal. Off the right, the decision is clear as day: Bukayo Saka is the best choice. Off the left, it is a toss-up between Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, with Eberechi Eze able to cover. Through the center, through, the choice is far more difficult.

Viktor Gyökeres was a standout signing, and he was expected to make the center forward position his own. It hasn't worked out that way, and Mikel Merino has covered in some of the bigger games.

Gabriel Jesus recently returned from injury, and he's in fine form. Since returning from his 11-month injury spell, though, the Brazilian is yet to start a match. He is making cameo after cameo, and it's proving difficult for Mikel Arteta to ignore his worth in the team.

Gabriel Jesus is ready to start for Arsenal

Speaking recently, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Jesus could be a starting center forward. He not only has given the all-clear that Jesus can return to the starting XI, but hinted that he deserves it, too.

In his own words, Arteta said: "You can see every day how much [Gabriel Jesus] wants [to start for Arsenal]. The biggest quality of Gabi is bringing people together, connecting with people and generating a lot of uncertainty in the opponent. We need to exploit that."

Those are some strong words of encouragement from Mikel Arteta, and they are certainly what Gabriel Jesus needed to hear. It's been far too long since he was last involved in an Arsenal starting lineup.

Gabriel Jesus links up play more efficiently than Viktor Gyökeres

While it's great news for Jesus, we must address the elephant in the room. Viktor Gyökeres won't be pleased to hear this rallying call from Mikel Arteta.

Viktor Gyökeres scored at the weekend in the win against Everton, but it doesn't paper over the cracks. He has been frankly subpar in an Arsenal jersey this season, and many would argue he's playing on borrowed time.

The Swedish international is like the odd one out in the Arsenal team. He doesn't receive service from his teammates, but he does little to involve himself in Arsenal's buildup play, either. It's frustrating because fans know there's a potentially world-class striker in there, but the signs are not being shown.

And Gabriel Jesus is the polar opposite. Sure, he won't score anywhere near the amount of goals that Viktor Gyökeres could score. However, Jesus improves the team more than Gyökeres does.

Gyökeres is excellent when he receives the ball, and then drives forward with his blistering pace. However, Jesus can make the unthinkable happen, and he can receive the ball in far more congested areas than Gyökeres can.

Just last week, Mikel Arteta called out the Arsenal players for not connecting well with Gyökeres. This is not a problem he sees with Gabriel Jesus.

It's pretty clear that in terms of link-up play and attacking fluidity, Mikel Arteta values Gabriel Jesus over Viktor Gyökeres. Time will tell how that translates to minutes on the pitch, but Jesus is certainly doing Gyökeres no favors right now.