Gabriel Jesus admits that nervousness was a factor in Arsenal losing the title race last season, but has vowed that next season will be different.
The Gunners led the way at the top of the Premier League for a large part of the season before being leapfrogged by Man City at the end of the campaign, and Jesus says City’s experience in those situations compared to Arsenal’s was a factor in the outcome.
“It’s difficult to know but I believe sometimes at the end of the season, we were a little bit nervous as a team and they were not nervous because normally they win,” he explained.
“That makes a difference. I think this year we are more experienced about this and it will be different.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also agreed, adding: “When he talks about that nervousness or insecurity or uncertainty in certain moments, I think that relates to a lot of key moments that happened, especially in the three consecutive draws that we had.
“That created a little bit of doubt in ourselves because then we had more urgency to win, and I think it gave City a big platform to build momentum from where they were coming from.”
Jesus joined Arsenal from Man City last summer after winning four league titles with the club but insists he did not feel the Gunners were far behind their rivals after first joining the club.
“Even before, I was feeling like this, that the gap was not that big,” he said.
“Obviously they are together years and this makes a difference. They are winning for years, and that makes a difference also.
“But since they won and I arrive here, I believe we can fight, we can win. Unfortunately we didn’t win but I think we will win, for sure.”
