Arsenal icon Gilberto Silva has lauded Mikel Arteta for the "great" transfer of Gabriel Jesus. The 25-year-old was heavily linked with an exit from Manchester City this summer, with London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur said to have been among those interested in the striker.
But it was the Gunners who walked away with the Brazil international's signature after agreeing a £45million deal with Pep Guardiola's side. And, Jesus, who has penned a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium, is already enjoying life at Arsenal as he more than justifies Silva's kind words.
The Brazilian, who's scored three goals in two pre-season clashes this summer, has been described as a 'great' signing who can become a talisman at the club. Speaking to Sky Sports, Silva said of Jesus' move to Arsenal: "Very happy for him, very happy for Arsenal. I think he is the kind of player who deserves to be in a club where he has the condition to play for the whole season.
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"I hope he can be one of main players in the team bring the club what the club expect from him. I think for the club it will be great because he's a good player, a very good guy and he has already shown from the beginning what everyone expects from him. To score goals, to help the team and give the team what they want."
With a bright future ahead at Arsenal should Jesus continue in the same vein, he has explained why he opted to join the Gunners over their London rivals. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Brazilian credited Edu with selling the club's project to him.
"When Edu came to talk with me and asked me how I am, how I was feeling as a person, and then as a football player, what I want in the future. I think the conversation between me and Edu was amazing. I was so happy with the project of the club, and straight away, I said yes, I think my way is in London," Jesus told Sky Sports.
"I don't want to be the main man here, I don't want to be a superstar. I want to play football, enjoy football, it's what I love to do. I've come to help and to learn with the guys. Here, there are amazing players as well, so I come to join a club where everyone wants to win together."
Jesus's former City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko looks set to follow him to north London this summer, with a deal seemingly imminent. Arteta is said to be a huge fan of the Ukraine international, who can play left-back and central-midfield to an exceptionally high standard.
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