Arsenal have started the season like a house on fire. Six wins and one defeat from their opening seven games sees them top the Premier League table heading into the first international break of the season.
Things will heat up when the Premier League returns, with the Gunners starting an action-packed October, in which they will play nine games - with a huge North London Derby against Tottenham on October 1. The Emirates Stadium will host the first clash of the two London sides this season, with Spurs visiting their neighbours just one point and two places below them in the table.
It is a mouth-watering clash and one manager Mikel Arteta will be looking to his top players to make the difference. He will be waiting to see what happens on international duty, hoping none of his players pick up injuries.
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One player who is resting up and taking part in training at London Colney, having been snubbed by Brazil for a call-up, is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian notched a superb header in the 3-0 win against Brentford last time out and goes into his first North London Derby full of confidence.
In fairness too him, he should have been full of confidence since 2017, when Brazil legend Ronaldinho described him as having the potential to be the "best players in the world".
Signed from Manchester City for £45million, Jesus has grabbed seven goal contributions in as many games so far this season. City were happy to let the 25-year-old join Arsenal, partly due to them acquiring Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. Based on the evidence so far, City selling Jesus to Arsenal may have made the Gunners serious title rivals to the reigning Premier League champions.
A year after signing for Pep Guardiola's side, the Brazilian received high praise off fellow countryman Ronaldinho. “Manchester City have a very special player with Gabriel Jesus," Ronaldinho told Mirror Football in 2017. “Maybe even, in the future, the best player in the world.
“At the moment it is Messi. I have always said I think one day it will be Neymar. But at 19, in the future, it can be Gabriel. He has all the abilities to make that happen. Ronaldo, Kaka, myself and, more recently, Neymar were playing at the highest level at a young age. Gabriel is in that category.”
If he is to become the best player in the world, Jesus will need to continue his fine form for the Gunners, starting against Tottenham next weekend. And he will need to fire Arsenal to the Champions League next season to really showcase his talents to the world.
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