Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has opened up about his move to Arsenal from Manchester City this summer and now feels more ‘free on the pitch’.
Jesus, who came to the Emirates from City on a £45m deal and has helped Mikel Arteta’s side climb to the top of the table after seven games.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international scored four goals and provided three assists during that time.
He has been widely acclaimed by experts for his early season showings, with Alan Shearer praising Jesus for his ‘ruthless energy’‘ and ‘willingness to run after the defense’.
Jesus, talking to ESPN Brazil on his move to North London, said ‘The thing was the way’ [Guardiola] understands football and what he wanted.
‘Then it was up to you to accept it or not. If you don’t accept it, ‘thank you’ and let’s take on a new challenge.
“I accepted it for a while, but there came a time when I said, ‘I want one more thing for myself.’ I thanked him, he understood, and we moved on.
“It’s different here at Arsenal. Football is different – different players, different ways of playing.
“It was different at City. The striker didn’t touch the ball that much, you can see that from the matches.
And when it came time to touch the ball, it wasn’t the striker, because [Guardiola] eventually a midfielder to get closer. Okay fine. So I decided to change.
“I’ve talked a lot with Arteta about Arsenal’s style. He knows me, I know him, I understood what he wanted from me.
‘Now I am free on the field, I play football with a smile on my face and I always try to do my best.’
The Gunners face rivals Tottenham on Saturday for the first North London derby of the season.
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