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Gabriel Jesus admits pressure cost Arsenal Premier League title last season - 'We were a little bit nervous'
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Published 26/07/2023 at 22:47 GMT+1
Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title last season despite leading the way for 248 days. A late collapse allowed Manchester City to win the trophy for a third consecutive campaign and the Gunners' Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus admits that nerves played a part in his side's poor form towards the end of the season. Of the coming campaign, Jesus said "it will be different".
Jesus admits Arsenal were 'nervous' as they lost out to Man City in title race
Video credit: SNTV
Gabriel Jesus admits that nerves played their part as Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title last season following a late collapse.
Mikel Arteta’s side held top spot for 248 days but ended up finishing five points behind Manchester City after losing three of their last six games.
"Sometimes at the end of the season we were a little bit nervous as a team," Jesus told reporters in Los Angeles as the club prepares to play Barcelona in the early hours of Thursday (UK time).
"They [Man City] were not nervous as normally they win so that made a difference. This season we have experience of this and it will be different.
“We created this by doing so well. To win the Premier League was our main target but at least we fought till the end with one of the biggest clubs in the world. We have to go again with the same energy.
“People believe more in us because the work we put in on the pitch was top. Now everyone here wants to continue and increase the level again.”
Arsenal have invested heavily in their squad so far this summer with the acquisition of club record signing Declan Rice for a ÂŁ105 million fee. Kai Havertz joined from rivals Chelsea for a fee reported to be worth ÂŁ65m and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber moved for ÂŁ38m.
“More players have come to help us but we still have a lot of good players as well,” Jesus added. “I think it’s a good problem for the mister (Arteta), no?
“Even before [last season] I was feeling like the gap was not that big. They are together years and that made a difference. Winning for years made a difference also.
“The year I arrived I believed we could fight and win. Unfortunately we didn’t win but I think we will, for sure.”
Jesus hit the ground running and scored 11 goals in 33 appearances following his transfer from Man City. A four-month layoff with a knee injury hampered his campaign but the Brazil international is hoping a full pre-season will help him reach his goals this term.
“Always in my life I have only one target and that’s to celebrate together at the end with the title. That’s my main target,” he said.
“Obviously I want to score more as that helps get that target but I don’t mind. I want to score but I want to win titles more.
“I want to work, I want to learn, I want to help the mister with the players as well. Compared to my foot injury that I had in 2017 it’s so different. This is my first injury, and I hope the last one, with my knee.
“Now I’m suffering a bit more with my foot, but I’m working hard to improve my fitness and then come back strong.”
Meanwhile, Arteta has asked for patience following the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in New Jersey on Saturday.
Arteta fielded new signings Rice and Havertz with captain Martin Odegaard in a midfield three.
"It's the first time [against Man Utd] we played with four players inside and three of them had never played together, ever,” said Arteta.
"Day by day, keep doing the right things and give people the opportunity to settle in and we will be fine."
The Gunners appeared to lack steel in the centre of the pitch in the absence of Granit Xhaka, who joined Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer.
Arteta believes that Havertz can give Arsenal something different, however.
"We have to find the right balance but a year ago Granit could never play as an attacking midfielder.
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Kai Havertz of Arsenal takes on Christian Eriksen of Manchester United during the match between Arsenal and Manchester United at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Image credit: Getty Images
"Day by day, keep doing the right things and give people the opportunity to settle in and we will be fine. You use the word 'physical' but if I put Granit and Kai [together] who is more physical? Granit? Yeah? Havertz is 1.91 metres.
"It depends what physical is. Physical is to run, to run in behind, run forward, to tackle, to defend. He will fit in with the qualities we have for sure and the good thing is that we have options in midfield.
"When we want a game to become more physical we have the options to be very, very physical so we have the right options."
Arsenal begin their new campaign with a trip to Wembley where they will face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, August 6 before hosting Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 12 in their first Premier League game.
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