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Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhaes claimed that Gabriel Jesus committed to help Arsenal win the Premier League on his first day with the Gunners.
During the summer transfer window, Jesus went from Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium.
Since then, he has played a pivotal role in their Premier League title bid, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in the league thus far this season.
The Brazilian has only recently returned after a three-month absence due to an injury sustained at the World Cup.
Despite his absence, the Arsenal were able to maintain their title challenge and are now eight points ahead of Manchester City, their closest rival.
This places Arsenal in a dominating position heading into the final ten games of the season, when they will attempt to win their first championship in 19 years.
According to Gabriel, though, Jesus has been sure that Arsenal would finish first in the league since his first day.
He arrived at Arsenal in early July and immediately claimed that his new team would win the championship against City.
Jesus: ‘We Will Win This League’
Gabriel has now revealed the dialogue that occurred on Jesus’ first day at the club in a recent interview.
“I think I pick Gabriel Jesus, because he’s won the Premier League a lot, he’s played a lot of games, he has big experience in this league,” Gabriel told Premier League Uncut when asked to pick his favorite Brazilian attacker in the English top-flight.
“When he came to Arsenal, on the first day he looked at me and said ‘this year if everyone works together, we will win this league’. He has good experience, takes this experience with the team, he speaks a lot for everyone, ” Gabriel explained.
Arteta: Jesus’ Return A ‘Big Boost’
Jesus returned to play a week ago in Arsenal’s victory against Fulham, a result that bolstered the Gunners’ title aspirations. And after that game, manager Mikel Arteta insisted that Jesus will be crucial in the home stretch run.
“It’s a big boost, the first step today. We didn’t know if it was the right game. He said to me a few days ago, ‘I’m still missing something’. Yesterday I looked in his eyes and he said: ‘I’m ready’. I said, ‘OK!'” Arteta told the media.
“So then, we had the opportunity to throw him in. It’s that first step to give him the big boost,” the manager explained, “He looks free, he looks ready and straight away he generated those two big chances. It’s great to have him back.”
“He has to earn his place like in any other team,” Arteta stated, “We have alternatives who can play in different positions and we have different goals as well to fill in relation to the chemistry of the players and what we ask them to do.”
“It’s a great problem to have, believe me. He was so happy. He put a lot into the last few months and all the staff had spent hours together to try to fulfil all his needs. To see him there with a smile on his face was a joy, I was really happy for him.”
The Gunners face Leeds United in their next Premier League game on Saturday, when they will be heavy favorites to defeat the struggling side in front of their home support.
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