LONDON:
Gabriel Jesus has set his sights on emulating boyhood hero Thierry Henry after Arsenal signed the Manchester Metropolis striker for a price of round £45 million ($54 million) on Monday.
Jesus, who scored 95 targets in 236 appearances for Metropolis, has signed a “long-term contract” with Arsenal after deciding to go away the Premier League champions searching for extra common first-team motion.
The Brazil worldwide revealed he was a giant Arsenal fan as a teenager, having been captivated by Henry through the France star’s profitable spell in north London.
Now Jesus will comply with in Henry’s footsteps as the primary man in Arsenal’s assault.
“I adopted Arsenal once I was younger due to Henry,” Jesus stated.
“Clearly I did not comply with too many European groups, however once I noticed a few of the gamers that performed right here, I used to be like ‘Wow, this membership is large’.
“I am so comfortable to signal for this large membership. Since day one once I knew I may come to play for Arsenal, I used to be comfortable.
“I do know the employees, I do know some gamers, the Brazilian ones. I do know there are loads of prime gamers.”
Jesus was anticipated to fall down the pecking order at Metropolis had he stayed for the ultimate yr of his contract because the champions have bolstered their hanging choices with the signings of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
He’s reunited with Arsenal supervisor Mikel Artetawho was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Metropolis earlier than he took cost on the Emirates Stadium.
“I am very excited. The membership has performed an incredible job to recruit a participant of this construction,” Arteta stated.
“I do know Gabriel personally very effectively, and everyone knows him effectively from his time within the Premier League and being actually profitable right here.
“This can be a place that is been on our radar for a very long time now and we’ve managed to get a participant that all of us needed, so I am actually comfortable.”
Admitting Arteta’s presence on the Emirates was influential in his choice to affix the Gunners, Jesus stated: “We spoke a few occasions concerning the membership, the gamers, the undertaking and the longer term.
“I consider 100% in Mikel. I had an excellent time with him earlier than, he is an excellent man and an excellent coach as effectively.
“He helped me loads. We might at all times stick collectively after the coaching classes and do some ending or one thing.
“He is a really clever man and was an incredible participant, so if he is aware of one thing he can train me or the younger gamers.”
Arsenal have let senior strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette go away the membership free of charge previously six months.
Regardless of handing Eddie Nketiah a brand new five-year deal, Jesus is anticipated to guide the road for Arteta’s males because the Gunners intention to finish a six-year absence from the Champions League.
The 25-year-old received 4 Premier League titles amongst eight main honors throughout his time with Metropolis after becoming a member of them in January 2017.
Arsenal have already strengthened Arteta’s squad with the signings of Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira, Brazilian teenage ahead Marquinhos and American goalkeeper Matt Turner.