Former Arsenal midfielders Gilberto Silva and Ray Parlour are impressed by Gabriel Jesus and waxed lyrical about the Brazilian international.
Gabriel Jesus has come in and slotted straight away under Mikel Arteta. The Brazilian forward has shown the manager the specific piece he might have missed in the race for the top four last season, with his arrival adding some much-needed optimism among the Arsenal fanbase.
Jesus was signed for £45 million from Manchester City after he entered the final year of his contract. Arsenal took the opportunity and convinced the player the Emirates was the best place to continue his football in England. It was a challenging prospect considering he had just won his fourth Premier League title and the Gunners had only qualified for the UEFA Europa League.
However, the pull of Mikel Arteta seems to have worked well in Arsenal’s favour, and Jesus has slotted in very well. The Brazilian international has scored three times in two pre-season friendlies and is already primed for a big season with the Gunners.
Jesus has also become Arteta’s first striker signing since the Spaniard took over as the Arsenal manager two-and-a-half years ago. He was brought in after a difficult season for the forwards, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proving ineffective despite their glowing reputation.
? "He is the kind of player who deserves to be in a club where he has the condition to play for the whole season."@GilbertoSilva feels that Gabriel Jesus' transfer to Arsenal is the right fit for both club and player pic.twitter.com/NMSjQuVw4o
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 19, 2022
Arsenal legends Gilberto Silva and Ray Parlour were on hand to praise the new acquisition, claiming they are impressed by his ability to quickly adapt at Arsenal. Their quotes appeared on talkSPORT, with each former midfielder making their opinions of the Brazilian clear.
Gilberto Silva said, “I’m very happy for him and very happy for Arsenal. “I think he’s the kind of player who deserves to be in a club where he has the conditions to play for the whole season.”
“I hope he can be one of the main players for the team and bring the club what the club expects from him. I think it will be great for the club because he’s a good player and a very good guy, and he has already shown from the beginning that everyone expects him to score goals and help the team achieve what they want.”
Parlour was more blunt in his assessment, although the Arsenal former midfielder was thoroughly impressed by Jesus adapting quickly at Arsenal.
Parlour said, “I’ve been really impressed with him in training; he’s got in with all the lads as well. He seems to be fitted like a glove. Sometimes you don’t hit the ground running, but in pre-season, he’s looked very sharp. Losing Lacazette, you had to replace him, and I think, what a replacement. He’s a brilliant signing.”
Jesus has already made his way into the hearts of the Arsenal supporters with two energetic displays for the club. He has also got along well with his new teammates, with the growing Brazilian contingent at the club helping him feel comfortable in his new surroundings.
Jesus is expected to lead the line for Arsenal this season, with Eddie Nketiah his backup. Arteta could look to field the two strikers together, as they showed their combined power in the friendly against 1. FC Nurnberg.
