Gabriel Jesus is ready to play as many games as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants this season - with his baby daughter the secret to his recovery.
The fixture schedule is busier than ever this season, with the World Cup in Qatar sandwiched in the middle of the campaign.
Arteta, however, has challenged his stars to play plenty of minutes, saying last week: “Look at the top players in the world. They play 70 matches every three days and make the difference and win the game.”
Jesus has been unmoved by that demand and is ready to play as much as Arteta wants, with Arsenal in action on Thursday when they face PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.
“100 per cent because I’m doing good recovery after the games – eating better, sleeping better, enjoying the life in the Arsenal t-shirt a lot,” said the Brazilian.
“So I’m ready to play 50, 60, 70 games per season. I’m ready.”
Asked what he is doing to help his body cope, Jesus replied: “Staying with my daughter, that’s the first thing!
“It helps me a lot to recover my mind. It’s not all about the body, the mind is more important because in my opinion it controls the body.
“So I stay with my family, play with my daughter, that helps me a lot and then of course I do stuff in the club, at home, with the coaches – fitness coaches. So that helps a lot.
“She’s still only five months old so we cannot do a lot of things. But every day changes. I know you guys probably have kids so you know what I am talking about. I just enjoy this moment.”
Jesus arrived at Arsenal in the summer from Manchester City, joining the Gunners as part of a deal worth around £45million.
There was some surprise that the Brazilian left the Premier League champions for a team in the Europa League, but Jesus has said he need to be tested elsewhere.
“Everyone I think sometimes needs a new challenge,” he said.
“That’s what I felt in that time and then I am so happy. I think it was the best decision to feel more confidence.
“I have a challenge here, that is what I want, to come here with a young team as well. I am still young, but I think in the team I am there as the fourth, fifth oldest.
“But I still feel young here and I see in the training session everyone wants to improve, everyone wants to learn, to win. That’s what I am more happy about.”
