Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on Gabriel Jesus amid suggestions that the Brazil international could leave the Emirates Stadium during this summer's transfer window.
The 27-year-old's future is currently the subject of speculation, with a number of clubs from the Saudi Pro League said to be showing an interest in his services.
Jesus only managed four Premier League goals during an underwhelming 2023-24 campaign, with Kai Havertz often preferred to him in the final third of the field.
Arsenal are expected to sign a forward before the transfer window closes, meanwhile, but Arteta has hinted that he wants the Brazil international to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
"He looks really good, he looks really sharp. He's changed a lot of things over the summer and he's come back in top condition again," Arteta told reporters after Jesus scored in Saturday's pre-season clash with Manchester United.
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Arteta suggests Jesus will stay at Arsenal this summer
"When you have that baseline, other things can be built but without that foundation we don't have a player and he needs to be in that condition to get the best out of him.
"He's realised that and I'm really happy with what he's shown today again. You can see by the way he looks, the way he's moving and you can see in his eyes that there's a spark there."
Jesus cancelled out an effort from Rasmus Hojlund to leave the two Premier League rivals level in Saturday's pre-season friendly, before Gabriel Martinelli won it for the Gunners late on.
The South American arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Manchester City in July 2022, and he has made 69 appearances for the capital club in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and registering 15 assists in the process.
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Arteta calls Man United clash "a really good test"
"It was a really good test for us. Playing in a different stadium, different pitch conditions, four metres narrower and five metres shorter against a top opponent and we're 1-0 down," Arteta added. "To play in this kind of context is really, really good for us to see the level and the capacity we have to adapt and win in any context, so I'm really pleased.
"It's a test. There are not three points but there are a lot of things on the table and you could see that. I think both teams were the same. Man United competed at the highest level as well and that's what you want, you want to get well-prepared for the matches we have in the league and in the Champions League.
"You need to have a good understanding of where your team is as quickly as possible. There are obviously different layers and different things that we have to improve and get better at, but I think we have good foundations at the moment.
"The spirit is good, the way the boys are working and applying themselves, that will that they have to compete and win is there, and I've tried to maximise the last two weeks to give them the best possible foundation."
Arsenal will round off their US Tour with a clash against Liverpool on July 31, before heading back to England for their final two friendlies of the summer with Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
Matt Law
