'I could sense it' - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hypes up Gabriel Jesus' possible impact in new season after maligned striker shines against Bayer Leverkusen

Jesus had a difficult 2023-24 due to injuries, making just 36 appearances in all competitions and scoring eight goals. The forward had a great pre-season, though, scoring in friendly victories over Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester United. His performance in their 4-1 victory over Leverkusen at the Emirates thrilled Arteta in particular, and the Spaniard has encouraged the Brazilian to get back on track.

Speaking to the media, Arteta said: "The first feeling when I saw him [this summer], it was something different. I could sense it. The energy was different. The way he looks is different. The way he moves is different… he looks good.

"Now it's a question of finding the consistency and doing it consistently and doing it in any context, any situation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes. OK – what are you able to produce in those circumstances? But he looks good."

With the Gunners set to try and take part in their third-straight title challenge, Arteta also provided an update on the return of Jurrien Timber and when their new £42 million ($53.3m) signing Riccardo Calafiori would be taking to the field having not played a single minute in their four pre-season games so far.

He told the media: "Jurrien had a little discomfort in his foot in the last few days and obviously, after the amount of time he’s been out, we didn’t want to take any risks with him.

"In regard to Riccardo, so much happened to him in one week! He’s come into a new environment with a different methodology and different training, so we are managing him, and we want to do it slowly and in the best way possible.

"Hopefully he will be available to play some minutes on Sunday."

Jesus is likely to be on the team sheet for Arteta when Arsenal take on Lyon in their final pre-season friendly on August 11 in the Emirates Cup final.