Pep Guardiola has already told Mikel Arteta how to make Gabriel Jesus into Arsenal’s talisman

Pep Guardiola has already told Mikel Arteta what he needs to do to get the best out of Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus has already made a fine start to his Arsenal career after completing a £45million transfer from Manchester City.

The Brazilian scored twice for Arsenal in their pre-season opener on Friday, a 5-3 win over Nurnberg.

It’s a fine start, but Jesus faces a huge season, and he will be the subject of a new kind of pressure having been part of a bigger machine at City.

At Arsenal, Jesus is going to be relied upon for goals, likely playing as Arteta’s first choice out-and-out striker.

At City, Jesus played as a nine and a false nine, also playing wide at times, and he had to become as good at making space for others to score as scoring goals himself.

But as he begins a new chapter at Arsenal, entering the fray as the Gunners’ marquee summer signing, it’s worth keeping in mind something Guardiola said just over a year ago.

The City boss was asked about Jesus’ scoring record, and his answer will give Arteta food for thought ahead of this season.

“The aspect for Gabriel happens is because he is so generous and he always thinks for the team and not himself,” said Guardiola in 2021.

“If he has had more of an ego he would have scored many, many goals.

“He is the first to feel bad for himself but when you see what he gives us and produces for us I don’t have anything to say – completely the opposite.

“He will improve, he is young and when his composure in front of the keeper arrives he will get it through the years.

“It is like a good wine. I like what he is – he just needs to be more calm in front of goal and know he can do it. he is still young and will learn it.”