The relationship between Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus goes back five years, from the time the two were together at Man City.
The Arsenal boss knows the new number 9 well from his time there, and knows what he’s capable of as a player. Having pursued the 25 year old for months, the Spaniard finally got his man when the signing was made official today, and Arteta believes that the Brazil international can reach new heights in North London.
Speaking to the official site, Arteta spoke of Jesus’ qualities, saying, “I think it’s a package. Start with his character, the person, the smile and what he represents as a human being.
“Then he’s an incredible professional, with his work ethic and enthusiasm. You will see it the first day he puts on his boots and enters the training pitch; he has the enthusiasm that he is going to create on his own on that pitch.
“And then obviously there are his qualities, his hunger to score, his willingness to be coached, to improve. He is used to winning and he knows that winning is the only way to do it.
“I think he will set different standards at the club.”
After signing a clutch of players in the 21-23 age bracket last summer, Jesus arrives with a bit more experience, not to mention a haul of medals, and Arteta believes that’s going to benefit the group as we go into the new season.
“We need to get the right balance between players in the first phase of their development, as well as those that are starting to hit the peak in their career,” he said.
“In Gabby’s case, for a striker it is still very early at 25, but he started really early too so all that experience is going to be very beneficial.
“We have a very, very dynamic team up front. We have three or four players who can play in various positions, and play with each other in different positions.
“We want to be unpredictable, but at the same time we want to be specific in certain areas, to achieve certain qualities that we didn’t have in the squad, and with Gabi I think we are doing both of those at the same time.”
Looking good. And he’s the oldest of our 5 up front. Would have been top 4 last season with him.
Yes… we’re in a good place…just one midfielder left to control games like the 4 home and away against Brighton and crystal palace…and who can forget Newcastle away? Feels like one or two signings plus promotions from hale end for a crack at 2nd spot..COYG!!!
Top three, methinks. Chelsea was there for the taking.
Sadly, I think top 3 looks nailed on for City, Liverpool and the dreaded Spuds
Arteta is always about enthusiasm and personality but Arsenal needs to demand more goals from all offensive players and especially CF. How can he help Jesus score a total of 27 goals every season? That’s what I want to hear.
I know the problem he has with Pepe is that he lacks enthusiasm but Pepe was even able to save his arse at the end of season last year.
I agree that Arsenal need pragmatism in actually achieving the expected from any player. And I think that’s their aporoach now- ‘Auba’s not scoring? bye bye’, ‘Laca’s lacking? bye bye’ ‘Eddie takes his chance? sign him up’. Fingers crossed Jesus hits the ground running! 🤞
But I believe he is better than Lava. In work rates and scoring goals even in playing upfront which makes substitute easy.
I like his eyebrows.
Hahaha! They are quite special
So what number will Gabriel Jesus rank in our top strikers list??
1 Henry
2 Alexis
3 v Persie
4 Ted Drake
5 Wrighty
6 Sunderland
8 Aubameyang
9 Giroud
10 Smudger
11 Adebayor
12 Gervinho
13 Bentner
Alexis above Van Persie? Wrighty should be 2!
Anelka top 10 for me
Yeah Anelka certainly over Adebayor any day. And Gervinho gets in over Kevin Campbell? Lol
In ability, Anelka would be my no 1.
Henry and Wright both joined what was already a brilliant team. Alexis carried a bad team, so did van P in his last season.
Cliff Bastin? Joe Baker? John Radford? Frank Stapleton? Those guys did more for Arsenal than Adebayor, Gervinho and Bendtner.
I agree with you Charles, i was kinda taking the mick after no 7.
Will Jesus make the top 5?
When Arteta says “we want to be unpredictable” I hope he means unpredictable to the opposition. Last season we sometimes seemed unpredictable to ourselves!
I’m not sure if this Jesus can turn water into wine but I heard he might turn Cedric’s crosses into goals.
That truly would be a miracle for the doubters.
LIke Mickey ‘Thomas’ ?
Or that Vermaelen fella?
Rosicky perhaps….
Tielemans and a back up fullback should do the trick?
until we rid ourselves of our tactical albatross, Xhaka, and take a more direct approach, we will likely continue to spin our wheels…hope I’m wrong, but
Gabi, Gabi and Gabi. Might need some new nicknames for them but all three seem like top blokes. Excited for the coming season!
Just call G-cubed (can’t do that miniature 3 in the top corner thingy on here!)
Just feed him the ball.
Can’t wait to see him playing in a kit that suits him lol. Sky blue is horrid.
Super excited by this signing.