Jurgen Klopp has provided his theory on why Manchester City sold the “flying” Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal.
Jesus has banged in five goals for Arsenal since his £45million switch from City in the summer and has been a key figure in their great start under Mikel Arteta. The Blues let the Brazil striker go after signing goal machine Erling Haaland and Klopp believes they sanctioned his transfer because the Gunners are not one of their near neighbours and far enough away.
Klopp is a big fan of Jesus and says his Liverpool side must figure out a way to stop him on Sunday at the Emirates. “I don’t know him on a personal basis, but I’ve always liked him as a player,” said the Reds boss.
“I know City wouldn’t have sold him to any club, but with Arsenal the distance was enough, geographically. He’s an exceptional player, you always say that. The Gabriel Jesus role at City was a nine and a winger. Last year, everybody said City had no number nine. He was still there, but he played obviously from the wing and now he can play his role.
“The third goal last night was a nice set up, so he is full of confidence, plus the quality of top-class players around him. He’s flying in this moment, that’s clear. If you’re not playing against them, It’s easy to enjoy what he’s doing. We need to make sure he stops flying for a weekend.”
Arsenal have won nine of their 10 games this season and will face Liverpool on Sunday as league leaders. Arsenal’s faith in Arteta is paying off and Klopp feels they always had some great players.
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“All my respect to them, wow, really, really good job,” he said. “It’s like this when you need some time, nobody wants to give you time, and maybe not all of us deserve time. We have lots of respect for him. They have lots of talent in the last few years. Martinelli, I was very excited about him early on and he has become the player I expected him to be.
“Martin Odegaard, I spoke to him when he was 15 in Norway and the whole world wanted him and he decided on Real Madrid. I remember it like it was yesterday, I sat round a table with him and his dad. After a few difficult years, he’s become the player everybody expected.
“Saka since the first day he was playing, incredible and Gabriel Jesus, if anyone knew how he could be outside Manchester City it was Mikel, the same with Zinchenko, while Xhaka has come back.
“Thomas Partey, everybody knew how good he was with Atletico Madrid and then they found a way to defend. It’s a young team, a really exciting team, and they’re doing well. We will try to cause them problems so I’m looking forward to it.”
