Mikel Arteta admits £45m Arsenal player has really changed during pre-season, he looks ‘different’

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Arsenal are now heading into their final pre-season friendly on the back of what was a seriously impressive win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Bundesliga champions made the trip to the Emirates on Wednesday night where they were left with their tail between their legs.

Mikel Arteta‘s side took no time in putting two past the visitors as Arsenal eventually sealed a 4-1 victory in north London.

The Gunners came into the game on the back of a defeat against Liverpool in their final game in the United States.

But Wednesday’s win saw some seriously positive performances from Arsenal with Arteta sharing his pleasure in what he saw.

And it seems there is one player who has returned to pre-season looking a lot different, according to the Arsenal boss.

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Mikel Arteta left really impressed by £45m Arsenal player this summer

It has not been a summer of spending in north London with the Gunners having only secured the signing of Riccardo Calafiori.

An impressive addition to what was already a formidable backline, but by no means have Arsenal gone wild in the market this summer.

And there could be good reason for that with Arteta admitting there have been some really encouraging displays from some of his players in pre-season.

The Spaniard said there was one player who has returned for the summer looking completely different.

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Speaking in the wake of the victory over Leverkusen, Arteta hailed the work of striker Gabriel Jesus this summer.

“I said from day one, the first feeling when I saw him after talking to him at the end of the season is that he was something different. I could sense it,” he said.

“His energy was different, the way he looks is different, the way he’s moving is different. He really wants it. Now it’s about finding that consistency and doing it in any context, against any opponent, against any formation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes.

“If you are produce in those circumstances? It looks good.”

Arsenal looking to sign another striker this summer

Despite looking good this summer, there is going to be a lot of pressure on Jesus to up his game when it really matters.

Last season, the Brazilian was only able to muster up four goals in the Premier League which simply is not good enough for a side battling for the title.

This has seen Arsenal show an interest in Victor Osimhen this summer as they look to potentially bring in a more reliable goal threat.

Considering one more win would have won Arsenal the title last season, the Gunners will surely be thinking a more prolific striker up top would have seen them lift the title.

Arsenal spent big on the £45m striker, now it is time for him to really show his worth.