Arsenal took a closer step to the start of the new Premier League season by beating Manchester United on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli were the two goalscorers for Arsenal in the pre-season friendly at the SoFi Stadium in California.
Manchester United opened the scoring after just ten minutes when Rasmus Hojlund charged down the left-hand side, outmuscling his man, before squeezing the ball past Karl Hein.
But it didn’t take Arsenal too long to equalise, with Jesus levelling the scores after 26 minutes and Martinelli netting the winner four minutes from time.
Given that this is pre-season – regardless of the end result – the game still went to penalties, with Manchester United giving themselves something to cheer about because they came out on top.
But Arteta will be pleased with his team’s display because that all-important title is just inches away from them.
Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title on the last day of the previous campaign, with many now discussing what they need to get one over on Manchester City.
One ongoing discussion has been that number nine – Arsenal have been told to sign the ‘remarkable’ Ivan Toney.
But at the moment, it’s Jesus, who has had up and down injury issues since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, deploying that role against Man United.
Given that Arteta still hasn’t got a fully fit squad to pick from, Kai Havertz was used in the middle of the park.
After the game, Arteta shared his thoughts on Jesus’ performance and how he was ‘really good’.
But what is even more encouraging for the fans is that Arteta shared that Jesus has transformed over the summer and ‘changed a lot’, as he told Football London.
Gabriel Jesus helps Arsenal beat Manchester United
“He looks really good,” said Arteta. “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.”
Do Arsenal need another striker?
Arsenal have produced two record-breaking seasons in front of goal – yet they still can’t get past Man City.
Putting the ball in the back of the net isn’t the issue, but the fact that their title rivals can make changes throughout their XI, without it denting their quality.
Sources have told HITC that Arsenal have booked a medical to sign Riccardo Calafiori and you feel he will aid that bench quality for the Gunners.
And don’t rule out more additions because Arsenal are keen on midfielder Ezequiel Fernández, with the 22-year-old currently plying his trade for Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
