The month of July began with some big news at Emirates Stadium in London, with Arsenal announcing the signing of Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus on a long-term contract.
The Brazil international makes the move in a reported £45 million ($54 million) deal, reuniting with new manager Mikel Arteta, who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City for a number of years before taking over the Gunners.
Jesus, 25, scored 95 goals in 236 games over six seasons at Manchester City and won the Premier League four times, League Cup three times and the FA Cup. He began his senior club career at Palmeiras, where he was voted Best Newcomer at the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. He helped lead his team win its first nationa league title in 2016, a year before he signed with Manchester City in a transfer worth £27 million.
The move helps to shore up Arsenal’s front line, with the departure of Alexander Lacazette following the 2021-22 season.
“I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature,” Arteta told arsenal.com. “I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.
“This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy,” added Arteta.
Jesus is confident of renewing his relationship with Arteta at his new club. “We spoke a couple of times about the club, the players, the project and the future,” said the Brazilian forward. “I believe 100% in Mikel. I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well.”