Football: Jesus 'excited' to play for Arsenal after joining on long-term deal
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Gabriel Jesus was surplus to requirements at Manchester City after the club signed Norway striker Erling Haaland.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON (REUTERS, AFP) - Arsenal have signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City on a long-term contract, the London Premier League club said on Monday (July 4).
Financial details were not disclosed but British media reported the 25-year-old Brazil international was signed in a deal worth £45 million (S$76.2 million).
"I followed Arsenal when I was young because of (Thierry) Henry," Jesus told Arsenal's website. "Obviously, I didn't follow too many European teams but when I saw some of the players that played here, I was like 'wow, this club is big.'
"I’m so happy to sign for this big club. Since day one when I knew I could come to play for Arsenal, I was happy. I know the staff, I know some players, the Brazilian ones. I know there are a lot of top players.”
Jesus was surplus to requirements at City after the Premier League champions signed Norway striker Erling Haaland from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian racked up 95 goals and 46 assists at City but failed to nail down a spot in the starting line-up last season, scoring eight league goals as manager Pep Guardiola deployed a midfielder as a "false nine" to lead the attack.
Arsenal manager Arteta will hope Jesus can plug the hole in his team's attack after none of their main strikers scored more than five league goals last season.
The Brazilian worked with Arteta when the Spaniard was an assistant to Guardiola at City from 2016-19.
"I'm very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature," Arteta said. "I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.
"This is a position that's been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I'm really happy."
Admitting Arteta’s presence at the Emirates was influential in his decision to join the Gunners, Jesus said: “We spoke a couple of times about the club, the players, the project and the future.
“I believe 100 per cent in Mikel. I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well. He helped me a lot. We would always stick together after the training sessions and do some finishing or something.
“He’s a very intelligent guy and was an amazing player, so if he knows something he can teach me or the young players.”
“I believe 100 per cent in Mikel. I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well. He helped me a lot. We would always stick together after the training sessions and do some finishing or something.
“He’s a very intelligent guy and was an amazing player, so if he knows something he can teach me or the young players.”
Jesus is Arsenal's fourth recruit of the summer following the arrivals of compatriot Marquinhos, American goalkeeper Matt Turner and Portuguese attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira.
Arsenal have let senior strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette leave the club for free in the past six months.
Despite handing Eddie Nketiah a new five-year deal, Jesus is expected to lead the line for Arteta’s men as the Gunners aim to end a six-year absence from the Champions League.
The 25-year-old won four Premier League titles among eight major honours during his time with City after joining them in January 2017.
Despite handing Eddie Nketiah a new five-year deal, Jesus is expected to lead the line for Arteta’s men as the Gunners aim to end a six-year absence from the Champions League.
The 25-year-old won four Premier League titles among eight major honours during his time with City after joining them in January 2017.
