Mikel Arteta reveals promising Gabriel Jesus difference in Arsenal pre-season

Mikel Arteta has claimed there is 'something different' about Gabriel Jesus this summer as Arsenal look ahead to the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Gunners had a mixed bag of results on their pre-season tour of the United States, losing 2-1 to Liverpool before thrashing Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 upon their return to the Emirates Stadium. They will soon set their sights on the upcoming campaign as they attempt to knock Manchester City off their perch and clinch a first Premier League trophy in over two decades.

Brazilian forward Jesus may be the key to Arsenal's success this season and, according to Arteta, the 27-year-old 'really wants it'.

"The first feeling when I saw him after talking to him at the end of the season is that he was something different," Arteta said after Arsenal's victory over Leverkusen. "I could sense it. His energy was different, the way he looks is different, the way he's moving is different. He really wants it.

"Now it's about finding that consistency and doing it in any context, against any opponent, against any formation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes. If you are producing in those circumstances, it looks good."

Arteta was also quick to praise the partnership between Jesus and Kai Havertz. The German star spent his summer on international duty at Euro 2024 in his home nation but returned to the squad in time to make an impact in recent friendly fixtures.

He added: "It's natural, it flows, there is good chemistry between them - and as well with Leo [Trossard]. The three, they have that false nine profile. I really like what I saw. You have to be very sensitive to read the information that the players are giving you.

"Individually, the chemistry they have within the unit, how things flow, one side and the other. It's certainly something that we can still develop, especially on our left side. Those combinations are giving us options. They are all really, really good players so the competition is quite big there."

Arsenal will face Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday before hosting Wolves in their season opener on 17 August.

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