Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Jesus has a “point to prove” this year and is excited by what he has seen from the forward during pre-season.
Jesus equalised for Arsenal in their 2-1 win over Manchester United in the USA before Gabriel Martinelli scored a late winner.
The Brazilian managed just four Premier League goals last season but Arsenal boss Arteta is backing the 27-year-old to show what he is capable of this coming season.
He said: “He looks really good. He looks really sharp. He has changed a lot of things over the summer.
“He has come in top condition again and when you have that baseline, other things can be built but without that foundation you don’t have a player. He needs to be in that condition to get the best out of him. He has realised that and I’m really happy with what he’s shown today again.”
Asked what Jesus has changed, Arteta said: “That is a question for him. But I know that. It is a fact and you can see. The way he looks, his rhythm, his sharpness, the way he is moving, and you can see in his eyes as well that there is again some spark there because he has got now a point to prove and that is good.
“I think that motivation has to come within himself, with his self demands and how much better he is able to make the team.
“He has shown it. He transformed the energy and the belief of that team and he has got it there. If he is waiting for something external to motivate him, I think it is going to be for a really short period. If it something internally that is happening, that is going to last long and it is going to be consistent. Hopefully that is the case.”
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