Arsenal are riding high after a rip-roaring start to the new Premier League season.
A 2-0 win away to Crystal Palace got things going on the opening night before smashing Leicester City at home last Saturday in a 4-2 victory. Now, though, manager Mikel Arteta 's focus is on the future and ensuring that the Gunners improve on what was a promising season last time out.
Qualifying for the Champions League is Arteta's top priority after so bitterly missing out in May, with Arsenal having been absent from the competition since 2017. The Gunners have made five summer signings in a bid to bolster their exciting squad and give boss Arteta more options to mount an assault on the top end of the table.
Here's a round-up of the latest news from the Emirates.
Arsenal told they've got 'next Luis Suarez'
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has compared Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli to ex- Liverpool star Luis Suarez after the young Brazilian's impressive start to the season.
"Martinelli, if he stays fit, this guy, I've told you this before what Arteta told me, he could be the next Suarez-type player," former England defender Ferdinand said of Martinelli on his YouTube channel, FIVE. "Even Brendan Rodgers, I was interested in Brendan Rodgers’ comments, he said that Arsenal have gone up a level with their additions."
Jesus loving Arsenal role
Gabriel Jesus is delighted to have returned to his natural position as a striker role since joining Arsenal. The 25-year-old swapped Manchester City for the Gunners in a £45million transfer deal this summer, having spent much of his time at his old club and for his country out wide.
"Obviously, due to the circumstances that happened after the World Cup, I ended up playing more at the winger in the Selecao [Brazilian national team] and at City too. After the World Cup I thought that I couldn't play as a No.9," Jesus admitted to ESPN Brasil. "I started playing much more on the wing at City and for Brazil. For a while I thought that. But I've changed my mentality, I believe much more in myself now. I'm smiling again playing football."
Get involved! How many goals will Jesus score this season? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Wilshere lifts lid on Arteta's sessions
Jack Wilshere has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta and the "intense" training sessions which he delivers at Arsenal. Wilshere recently became part of the Gunners' academy staff after announcing his retirement aged 30, having spent five months training with Arteta's squad last season to keep up his fitness before a short-lived spell in Denmark.
"Playing with him, he was a guy who was very focused, very intelligent with the way he trained," Wilshere explained to the Mail. As a coach he is very similar. He is very intense, very hands on with the players and trying different things, new techniques to try to help them. I like it. He's a modern coach. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. You've got to try these things to see that."
