Arteta the key as Jesus swaps City for Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus admits his relationship with Mikel Arteta played a crucial role in his decision to join Arsenal from Manchester City.

Brazilian forward Jesus, 25, has completed a £45million move to the Emirates and joins the Gunners on what is described as a long-term deal.

Having scored 58 Premier League goals in 159 appearances and won 10 trophies in a six-year spell with the Citizens, his capture represents a real coup for the North London outfit.

And the man himself confessed it was the presence of former City coach Arteta that ended up being the decisive factor.

Jesus told Arsenal's website: "We spoke a couple of times about the club, the players, the project and the future. I believe 100 per cent in Mikel.

"I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well. 

"He helped me a lot [at Manchester City]. We would always stick together after the training sessions and do some finishing or something. 

"He’s a very intelligent guy and was an amazing player, so if he knows something he can teach me or the young players."

Jesus, who will wear the No9 shirt at his new club, believes he can bring a winning mentality to a Gunners side who narrowly fell short of a top-four finish last term.

He added: "Since my first day at a professional team with Palmeiras, I had that mentality which comes from inside of me, my heart. 

"I started to play to win with Palmeiras, then the Brazilian Olympic team and national team, and then City. We have to go at it with everyone together, there’s no other way to win things. 

"When you have a good relationship outside of the pitch, inside works automatically, and that’s my mentality."

He becomes Arteta’s fourth recruit of the summer following the arrivals of winger Marquinhos from Sao Paulo, attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto and goalkeeper Matt Turner from New England Revolution.

Arteta added: "I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. 

"I know Gabriel personally very well and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here. 

"This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy."

The Gunners will be hoping the diminutive striker can solve their attacking deficiencies following the departures of former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang and centre forward Alexandre Lacazette.

As he did at City, Jesus will wear the No9 nine shirt at the Emirates. 

Gunners technical Director Edu added: "We are delighted we have secured the transfer of Gabriel. Everyone who knows football well, knows his qualities.

"Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now. He is 25 years and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level. 

"We look forward to seeing him join up with his new team-mates ahead of the new season. We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal."