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The Brazilian striker is keen to avoid the woes of last season when the Gunners relinquished their huge advantage in the run-in
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has revealed the real reason the dressing room feels cost the club a first league title in 19 years.
Arsenal finished five points behind Manchester City last season despite leading the Premier League for 248 days.
The Brazilian striker joined Mikel Arteta’s side last summer after winning four league titles in as many years in Pep Guardiola's side and he believes his former club’s experience proved decisive.
“Sometimes at the end of the season, we were a little bit nervous as a team,” Jesus said. “They (Man City) were not nervous as normally they win so that made a difference. This season we have experience of this and it will be different.”
His manager Mikel Arteta agreed with his assessment.
“When he talks about that nervousness, insecurity or uncertainty I think that is related to a lot of key moments that happened, especially in the three consecutive draws we had,” he said.
“That created that little bit of doubt as we then had more urgency to win and it gave City a big platform to build momentum. That had a really important effect on the outcome of the championship.”
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07:00 - 25.07.2023
STARS ABROAD: Metrics show why Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma could follow Joseph Okumu to a top European league
Ouma has been linked with moves to several European clubs, including Atalanta, Wolfsburd, Crystal Palace and an unnamed club in France.
Arsenal were not fancied as contenders last season but this year the talk is all about whether they can go one better and topple City.
“We created this by doing so well,” added Jesus. “To win the Premier League was our main target but at least we fought till the end with one of the biggest clubs in the world. We have to go again with the same energy.
“People believe more in us because the work we put in on the pitch was top. Now, everyone here wants to continue and increase the level again.”
Arsenal may have the youngest squad in the league but they have made three major additions this summer while Manchester City have lost Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona with Riyad Mahrez set to join Saudi club Al-Ahli, despite finishing the season with the treble.
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18:34 - 23.07.2023
STARS ABROAD Joseph Okumu's meteoric rise from rejection in South Africa, one-year sabbatical to France's Ligue 1
The 26-year-old Kenyan international has joined the Will Still-coached side from Gent on a five-year contract
“More players have come to help us but we still have a lot of good players as well,” Jesus added. “I think it’s a good problem for the mister (Arteta), no?
“Even before (last season) I was feeling like the gap was not that big. They are together years and that made a difference. Winning for years made a difference also.
“When I arrived, I believed we could fight and win. Unfortunately, we didn’t win but I think we will, for sure.”
Jesus scored 11 goals in 33 appearances last season as Arsenal shared the goalscoring burden around with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all reaching double figures in the league.
He quickly became an important part of Arteta’s team due to his all round game but he is not feeling under pressure to score more goals.
Jesus missed four months of the last season with a knee injury but he vowed to return a different animal. The 26-year-old is hoping a full pre-season will help achieve that.
“I want to work, I want to learn, I want to help the mister with the players as well. Compared to my foot injury that I had in 2017 it’s so different. This is my first injury, and I hope the last one, with my knee.
“Now I’m suffering a bit more with my foot, but I’m working hard to improve my fitness and then come back strong.”
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08:00 - 26.07.2023
Moses Shummah: The young Harambee Stars sensation earning rave reviews at Kakamega Homeboyz
Shummah had an end of season to remember, not just making his debut and scoring for Harambee Stars, but also being named most valuable player as Homeboyz lifted their maiden FKF Cup.
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