Former Brazil icon Ronaldinho has tipped Arsenal to potentially challenge for the Premier League title this season, becoming the latest of a string of names to do so. The ex-Barcelona star claimed that new signing Gabriel Jesus could be a huge part of that, believing he will show he is one of the best in Europe.
It comes after an ideal summer for the Gunners, who made five signings and spent over £100million in getting their business concluded swiftly. Pre-season preparation was ideal too and it has directly translated to competitive matches, with Mikel Arteta's men picking up two wins from their opening two.
New centre-forward Jesus has been a key figure in both, causing plenty of problems against Crystal Palace on his debut, before grabbing two goals and two assists against Leicester City. Discussing his performance after the game, Arteta said: "We know what Gabi can do. He scored two and got two assists and is still disappointed because he thinks he should have scored four. That’s the standard, that’s the mentality. You need to go to a different level."
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He later added: "I wouldn’t like to play against him. I’ve never been a defender, but I can imagine I wouldn’t enjoy it. He’s so mobile, so intuitive, always sharp and proactive to play in any moment and phase in the game, and it’s a real threat."
Plenty of names within football have tipped the Gunners to be around the title fight come the end of the season, including Premier League managers Patrick Vieira and Scott Parker. However, the list doesn't stop there as former Brazil star Ronaldinho has also tipped them to be involved.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: “Arsenal will get back into the top four this season with the signings they have made - maybe they can even achieve more and challenge for the title. Manchester City look very strong and they will be favourites - but in football anything is possible.”
He has also backed Jesus, who impressed in his opening games for the Gunners. "When Gabriel [Jesus] joined Manchester City I said he would go on to be one of the best players in the world," Ronaldinho said when discussing his compatriot. "When he was given a chance, he showed what he was capable of - but at Manchester City he was never shown the love a player of his quality deserves.
"At Arsenal he has been given the chance to be the focal point, he has been shown the love by the coach and the fans, and already he is repaying that. This season I expect big things from him - he will repay the love shown in him by showing he is not just one of the best players in the Premier League but also in Europe."
Arteta will certainly be hoping that the former playmaker, as well as the long list of other football stars, are correct when they have tipped them for a top table finish.
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