Gabriel Jesus’s Arsenal introduction: The humility, the fire and the goals
There’s no doubt about who has been the star of Arsenal’s American tour. Gabriel Jesus leaves the US with two goals in three appearances and supporters salivating.
Arsenal rounded things off by dispatching Chelsea 4-0 to claim the Florida Cup but it was another impressive performance from Jesus that captured the imagination. There will be relief, too, after an apparent injury was revealed to be nothing more serious than a knock to the thigh.
At full time, the striker sauntered onto the pitch with his arm round his old friend from Manchester City, Oleksandr Zinchenko. Shortly afterwards, he was dragged away to be presented with the man of the match award by Brazilian legend Rivaldo. Life at Arsenal hasn’t been treating him too badly thus far.
Jesus’ goal against Chelsea takes his pre-season record to four in four. The 25-year-old has immediately looked at home in red and white, and seems to be brimming with confidence. If he can carry this form into the Premier League season, he is sure to be a threat.
The Athletic’s Arsenal writer James McNicholas has been following the team on their American tour and here, he shares his observations of watching Jesus play and train — along with contributions from his team-mates and manager.
He has a goalscoring instinct
That much is evident already. The panache with which he finished his chance against Chelsea, clipping the ball over Edouard Mendy after a through-ball from Granit Xhaka, suggests a player with good decision-making in front of goal.
It’s something his team-mates have picked up on, too. “I think he’ll be a great asset to us,” says Rob Holding. “I think there are times in the last two years when we’ve had spells where we’ve lacked goals, and I think he’s someone that will fill that.
“Even it’s just a scrappy one where he tucks it in at the back post — it’s a goal. They’re important and when you look back over the season at how many points you get from those types of goals, they can make the difference, so I think it’ll be a huge positive for us this season.”
Of course, it’s one thing doing it in pre-season friendlies — quite another in the Premier League. Everton and Chelsea looked some way behind Arsenal in their preparations, and there are undoubtedly sterner challenges ahead.
Mikel Arteta was asked after the Chelsea game whether Jesus could challenge for this season’s Golden Boot. “I have no clue,” he conceded. “We are in pre-season. What I can guarantee you is that he is going to do everything that he can to be the best player that he can — that’s it.”
He’s been made to feel at home
Jesus speaks good English but his acclimatisation has been helped by the fact that he has arrived at a club with a strong Portuguese-speaking contingent. On the flight out to America, he was sandwiched between Gabriel Martinelli and fellow newcomer Marquinhos.
“It’s good to have a lot of Brazilians here,” says Martinelli. “Gabi and Marquinhos are new. They’re good guys to have here. All the players like them as well.”
Technical director Edu flew out to join the team in Orlando and his presence is also a familiar one. During his time as technical coordinator for the Brazilian national team, Edu came to know not just Jesus but his family.
It’s worth remembering that Jesus left his native Brazil for Manchester at the age of 19. Moving from Lancashire to London is, by comparison, a relatively minor transition.
He’s been exemplary in interactions with club staff
A tour is a relatively unusual situation for a club: non-football staff encounter players far more regularly than they would during the season.
One of the things that has been frequently remarked upon is Jesus’s politeness and uncomplaining attitude around the camp. It’s possible he may just be in a honeymoon period but those who know him from his City days say that’s the nature of his character. Xhaka has been impressed by the conduct of all the new signings.
“It’s always good to have new faces because they’ll bring a lot of competition,” the Arsenal midfielder tells The Athletic. “But first of all, they are very, very humble — good people as well. They fit in our team. This is important for the team.
“And then, the quality. Everyone who comes here has the quality to play for this football club and to help the team.”
On the early evidence, Jesus certainly has that.
He’s evolved since Mikel Arteta last worked with him
One of the advantages of Arsenal signing Jesus is that he’s a player Arteta knows exceptionally well, having worked with him closely at Manchester City.
However, that was over two and a half years ago now — and the Arsenal manager believes Jesus has changed.
“He’s matured a lot,” Arteta tells The Athletic. “Obviously, a lot has changed in his life. He’s been a father and now he’s engaged.
“Also four, five years of experience at the level, to play in the right way, to win when only winning matters — that changes and clicks something in your brain.” It has not taken long for that to make an impression upon the wider squad. “He’s transmitted that straight away,” says Arteta.
He’s a natural competitor
As soon as Jesus began training with the Arsenal group, they recognised that he is far more than just a flair player. He has skill but it’s complemented by tremendous work rate, fitness and desire.
“The first impression of him is that he’s a winner. I’d say stands out the most, really,” says Rob Holding. “He’s been there, done that. He’s won things at club level and at international level. You can see that desire in the sharpness in training.
He doesn’t mind a scrap, either. In the Everton game, he got into an altercation with Yerry Mina. Speaking at Arsenal’s kit launch the following week, he said: “You know what, I’ve played with Mina before in Palmeiras and we were so close together, and after, I don’t know why but he started to touch me, to pinch me on my chest and then talking shit.
“I don’t know why or for what reason he did this. At the end, I’m not a kid anymore and I went straight to him as well. After, we won the game and that’s all that matters.”
He’s not a conventional No 9
Many people thought Arteta might move for an archetypal “target man” in this window. Instead, he opted for Jesus — a player who brings a different kind of physicality. He imposes himself upon opposition defenders with his pressing and willingness to run the channels.
Manchester City know they will miss Jesus’s energy. Speaking in Houston, Pep Guardiola said of Julian Alvarez’s debut: “Julian was incredible. Defensively, he is quite similar, like Gabriel. Gabriel is probably the best but he (Alvarez) is close to him in aggression and how intuitive he is.”
Jesus is also a mobile forward, who doesn’t confine himself to the penalty box. In the second half against Everton, he interchanged positions with Eddie Nketiah, who was ostensibly playing on the left wing.
Against Chelsea, he spent a lot of time in the right channel, exploiting the space outside of the opposition’s left centre-half. He also emulated the role Alexandre Lacazette played last season, sometimes dropping into midfield to offer a passing option for Aaron Ramsdale and the centre-backs. At one stage, he was wider than Saka — at another, deeper than Xhaka.
The difference between Jesus and Lacazette, of course, appears to be that the Brazilian has the speed and stamina to make up ground and offer a threat in the penalty box, too.
He’s a star
Jesus’s move to Arsenal is big news back home in Brazil. Throughout their time in Baltimore and Orlando, Arsenal have been inundated with requests from South American media for interviews with Jesus. Arsenal have a number of other Portuguese-speaking players but it’s Jesus who Brazilian journalists have clamoured for access to at every opportunity. With 56 international caps already to his name, perhaps that shouldn’t come as a great surprise.
When the full-time whistle blew at the Camping World Stadium, it was Jesus who was ushered over to speak with the media. As ever, he did so without complaint. That attitude was even evident in the photoshoot for his Arsenal unveiling — the club asked Jesus to stand atop some scaffolding high above the Emirates Stadium pitch in order to replicate a photo of the Christ the Redeemer statue looking down upon Rio. Understandably, he was a fraction hesitant — he isn’t crazy about heights — but agreed to give it a go.
Tours are often quite happy camps. Without the pressure to achieve results, the stakes feel lower and the atmosphere can be more relaxed. Nevertheless. it’s clear that, both on and off the pitch, Jesus made a substantial impression in America. Now to do the same back in London and the Premier League.
https://theathletic.com/3444794/2022/07/24/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-tour/
Gabriel Jesus’s Arsenal introduction: The humility, the fire and the goals
There’s no doubt about who has been the star of Arsenal’s American tour. Gabriel Jesus leaves the US with two goals in three appearances and supporters salivating.
Arsenal rounded things off by dispatching Chelsea 4-0 to claim the Florida Cup but it was another impressive performance from Jesus that captured the imagination. There will be relief, too, after an apparent injury was revealed to be nothing more serious than a knock to the thigh.
At full time, the striker sauntered onto the pitch with his arm round his old friend from Manchester City, Oleksandr Zinchenko. Shortly afterwards, he was dragged away to be presented with the man of the match award by Brazilian legend Rivaldo. Life at Arsenal hasn’t been treating him too badly thus far.
Jesus’ goal against Chelsea takes his pre-season record to four in four. The 25-year-old has immediately looked at home in red and white, and seems to be brimming with confidence. If he can carry this form into the Premier League season, he is sure to be a threat.
The Athletic’s Arsenal writer James McNicholas has been following the team on their American tour and here, he shares his observations of watching Jesus play and train — along with contributions from his team-mates and manager.
He has a goalscoring instinct
That much is evident already. The panache with which he finished his chance against Chelsea, clipping the ball over Edouard Mendy after a through-ball from Granit Xhaka, suggests a player with good decision-making in front of goal.
It’s something his team-mates have picked up on, too. “I think he’ll be a great asset to us,” says Rob Holding. “I think there are times in the last two years when we’ve had spells where we’ve lacked goals, and I think he’s someone that will fill that.
“Even it’s just a scrappy one where he tucks it in at the back post — it’s a goal. They’re important and when you look back over the season at how many points you get from those types of goals, they can make the difference, so I think it’ll be a huge positive for us this season.”
Of course, it’s one thing doing it in pre-season friendlies — quite another in the Premier League. Everton and Chelsea looked some way behind Arsenal in their preparations, and there are undoubtedly sterner challenges ahead.
Mikel Arteta was asked after the Chelsea game whether Jesus could challenge for this season’s Golden Boot. “I have no clue,” he conceded. “We are in pre-season. What I can guarantee you is that he is going to do everything that he can to be the best player that he can — that’s it.”
He’s been made to feel at home
Jesus speaks good English but his acclimatisation has been helped by the fact that he has arrived at a club with a strong Portuguese-speaking contingent. On the flight out to America, he was sandwiched between Gabriel Martinelli and fellow newcomer Marquinhos.
“It’s good to have a lot of Brazilians here,” says Martinelli. “Gabi and Marquinhos are new. They’re good guys to have here. All the players like them as well.”
Technical director Edu flew out to join the team in Orlando and his presence is also a familiar one. During his time as technical coordinator for the Brazilian national team, Edu came to know not just Jesus but his family.
It’s worth remembering that Jesus left his native Brazil for Manchester at the age of 19. Moving from Lancashire to London is, by comparison, a relatively minor transition.
He’s been exemplary in interactions with club staff
A tour is a relatively unusual situation for a club: non-football staff encounter players far more regularly than they would during the season.
One of the things that has been frequently remarked upon is Jesus’s politeness and uncomplaining attitude around the camp. It’s possible he may just be in a honeymoon period but those who know him from his City days say that’s the nature of his character. Xhaka has been impressed by the conduct of all the new signings.
“It’s always good to have new faces because they’ll bring a lot of competition,” the Arsenal midfielder tells The Athletic. “But first of all, they are very, very humble — good people as well. They fit in our team. This is important for the team.
“And then, the quality. Everyone who comes here has the quality to play for this football club and to help the team.”
On the early evidence, Jesus certainly has that.
He’s evolved since Mikel Arteta last worked with him
One of the advantages of Arsenal signing Jesus is that he’s a player Arteta knows exceptionally well, having worked with him closely at Manchester City.
However, that was over two and a half years ago now — and the Arsenal manager believes Jesus has changed.
“He’s matured a lot,” Arteta tells The Athletic. “Obviously, a lot has changed in his life. He’s been a father and now he’s engaged.
“Also four, five years of experience at the level, to play in the right way, to win when only winning matters — that changes and clicks something in your brain.” It has not taken long for that to make an impression upon the wider squad. “He’s transmitted that straight away,” says Arteta.
He’s a natural competitor
As soon as Jesus began training with the Arsenal group, they recognised that he is far more than just a flair player. He has skill but it’s complemented by tremendous work rate, fitness and desire.
“The first impression of him is that he’s a winner. I’d say stands out the most, really,” says Rob Holding. “He’s been there, done that. He’s won things at club level and at international level. You can see that desire in the sharpness in training.
He doesn’t mind a scrap, either. In the Everton game, he got into an altercation with Yerry Mina. Speaking at Arsenal’s kit launch the following week, he said: “You know what, I’ve played with Mina before in Palmeiras and we were so close together, and after, I don’t know why but he started to touch me, to pinch me on my chest and then talking shit.
“I don’t know why or for what reason he did this. At the end, I’m not a kid anymore and I went straight to him as well. After, we won the game and that’s all that matters.”
He’s not a conventional No 9
Many people thought Arteta might move for an archetypal “target man” in this window. Instead, he opted for Jesus — a player who brings a different kind of physicality. He imposes himself upon opposition defenders with his pressing and willingness to run the channels.
Manchester City know they will miss Jesus’s energy. Speaking in Houston, Pep Guardiola said of Julian Alvarez’s debut: “Julian was incredible. Defensively, he is quite similar, like Gabriel. Gabriel is probably the best but he (Alvarez) is close to him in aggression and how intuitive he is.”
Jesus is also a mobile forward, who doesn’t confine himself to the penalty box. In the second half against Everton, he interchanged positions with Eddie Nketiah, who was ostensibly playing on the left wing.
Against Chelsea, he spent a lot of time in the right channel, exploiting the space outside of the opposition’s left centre-half. He also emulated the role Alexandre Lacazette played last season, sometimes dropping into midfield to offer a passing option for Aaron Ramsdale and the centre-backs. At one stage, he was wider than Saka — at another, deeper than Xhaka.
The difference between Jesus and Lacazette, of course, appears to be that the Brazilian has the speed and stamina to make up ground and offer a threat in the penalty box, too.
He’s a star
Jesus’s move to Arsenal is big news back home in Brazil. Throughout their time in Baltimore and Orlando, Arsenal have been inundated with requests from South American media for interviews with Jesus. Arsenal have a number of other Portuguese-speaking players but it’s Jesus who Brazilian journalists have clamoured for access to at every opportunity. With 56 international caps already to his name, perhaps that shouldn’t come as a great surprise.
When the full-time whistle blew at the Camping World Stadium, it was Jesus who was ushered over to speak with the media. As ever, he did so without complaint. That attitude was even evident in the photoshoot for his Arsenal unveiling — the club asked Jesus to stand atop some scaffolding high above the Emirates Stadium pitch in order to replicate a photo of the Christ the Redeemer statue looking down upon Rio. Understandably, he was a fraction hesitant — he isn’t crazy about heights — but agreed to give it a go.
Tours are often quite happy camps. Without the pressure to achieve results, the stakes feel lower and the atmosphere can be more relaxed. Nevertheless. it’s clear that, both on and off the pitch, Jesus made a substantial impression in America. Now to do the same back in London and the Premier League.
https://theathletic.com/3444794/2022/07/24/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-tour/
