Rivaldo has revealed what he told Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus after smashed Premier League rivals in a pre-season friendly.
Brazil legend Rivaldo was at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium to watch Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-0 in a one-sided friendly last month.
Rivaldo was ‘encouraged’ by Arsenal’s performance and says the club are in a good place ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Jesus was on the scoresheet for the Gunners and has enjoyed a superb pre-season schedule, scoring seven goals in five matches following his £45m move from .
The Gunners finished fifth in the Premier League last season and kick-start their 2022-23 campaign on Friday night against .
‘I was at the stadium to watch Arsenal’s 4-0 win against Chelsea in a friendly match and I had the opportunity to check close up the Gunners’ evolution under Mikel Arteta,’ Rivaldo told .
‘A good pre-season is important to boost their confidence at the start of season – especially after they fell away at the end of last season – and I was encouraged by what I saw.
‘Arsenal were in control against Chelsea. It was a great Arsenal performance with a well-organized defence and a very quick and clinical attack, so I imagine that Arsenal may battle for some titles this season.
‘At the end of the match, I talked with Arteta and congratulated him on his excellent work so far by bringing the club into a good place before the start of the new season.
‘I also spoke with Jesus after the Chelsea match, wishing him the best in this new phase of his career, praising his qualities as a player, and asking him to keep focused to start the new season very strongly.
‘After moving from Man City to Arsenal the best thing that could happen for Gabriel Jesus was starting strongly with his new club.
‘That’s exactly what’s happened with Jesus scoring and assisting a lot in the pre-season, proving that he signed with the club to become one of its stars and a regular starter. This good start is crucial for his confidence.
‘How he starts at the club will probably be crucial to his success with the Brazilian national team at the World Cup.
‘I can only hope that he produces the goods for the Gunners early on – starting when Arsenal go to Crystal Palace next Friday – and heads to Qatar in top form, as Brazil’s bid to win a sixth World Cup.’
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