Ferdinand says he looked at Gabriel Jesus differently after interview

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Rio Ferdinand has told his YouTube channel that he started to look at Gabriel Jesus differently after his interview with the Arsenal striker as he realised just how seriously the Brazilian takes his football.

Everything appears to be going to plan for Arsenal right now. Mikel Arteta’s men are top of the Premier League table and proved a massive point after beating Liverpool 3-2 at the Emirates on Sunday.

A number of players have been absolutely outstanding since the start of the campaign. But it does appear that the signing of Gabriel Jesus has been a turning point for the Gunners.

‘Serious about his football’

The 25-year-old has been electric. And he is clearly relishing the chance to be the focal point of the Arsenal side after some time as one of several star men at Manchester City.

Ferdinand recently interview Jesus for BT Sport where they discussed his life since moving to Arsenal. And following the win over Liverpool, Ferdinand shared what struck him about the striker after speaking to him.

Ferdinand looked at Gabriel Jesus differently after interview

“I was genuinely, maybe surprised. I didn’t expect to get what I got out of him,” he told his YouTube channel.

“For example, I said to him, ‘you’re in London now, are you enjoying London?’ And he went: ‘no, no, I live 15-20 minutes from the training ground’. That was deadpan serious. I went: ‘Okay, so you’ve been in London, what restaurants have you been to, bars or anything like that?’ ‘No, I’ve not been to London yet’.

“And from that moment, I just looked at him differently and thought yes, this is what I want for my striker to be like. Not that he’s not gone into London, not gone anywhere, but what he showed me was that he’s serious about his football. Very serious about his football.”

You can tell that Jesus has played his part in driving standards up at Arsenal. He was absolutely breathtaking against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the campaign. And he has been brilliant ever since.

He has not let up at any stage since the start of the season. And it is bringing the very best out of the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

It is also pushing someone like Eddie Nketiah. Nketiah has not had too many chances this season. But when he does play, he looks a different player to the one who seemed to be going nowhere before the end of last term.

It remains to be seen how Arsenal will respond if they lose Jesus to injury at any stage. But this could clearly be a very special period for both the Gunners and the striker himself.