has been blown away by new team-mate Gabriel Jesus and admits he didn’t know just how good the former striker was before he moved to .
Jesus has , scoring seven goals and making one assist in five pre-season games.
The Brazil international was closing in on 100 Man City goals when he .
Arsenal academy graduate Smith Rowe came up against Jesus several times but says it took training with him to realise just how talented he is.
Asked which players has impressed him most in pre-season, Smith Rowe told the : ‘The players that have come back [from loans], I already know how good they are so it’s not a surprise to see how good they are and how well they are doing.
‘But from the new players, I think Gabriel Jesus. I didn’t actually realise how sharp he was!
‘Obviously I’ve played against him and watched Man City a lot but when you actually see him in training… I’ve been telling my friends that he’s ridiculous.
‘Everyone in the team is really excited for the new season and the fans should be as well I think.’
Jesus on Saturday.
Following the emphatic victory, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: ‘Gabriel’s versatility is well known. Now we are using him as a nine, he can play as a winger, off the left and the right.
‘You can play with two strikes as we have done in pre-season as well and change the shape a little bit. He gives us a lot of flexibility.
‘We hoped he would settle it well but obviously a player has to adapt to a new city, to a new club, new teammates.
‘He’s done it in a really fast and natural way. You can see the way they look for him on the pitch, on and off the ball, and what he’s able to transmit as well on that pitch so I am really happy.’
Arteta will hope for more goals from Jesus when Arsenal begin their 2022-23 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
The Gunners finished fifth last season – – but expectations are high following an impressive pre-season and a productive summer transfer window.
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