Micah Richards has lauded Gabriel Jesus’ ‘sensational’ home debut for Arsenal as the Gunners beat Leicester City 4-2 on Saturday.
The Brazil international striker, who moved to the Emirates this summer, scored two goals and bagged two assists in a Man of the Match performance.
Jesus spoke to the media after the match and rejected claims that he was unhappy at Manchester City – where he played a bit-part role – before switching to Arsenal for £45m, but admitted that was ‘so happy’ to be in north London.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said that Jesus was ‘disappointed’ after the win because he felt he should have scored four.
But pundit Richards heaped praise on the 25-year-old after the victory, telling Match of the Day: ‘He was sensational. Everything he did was brilliant.
‘I watched him at Manchester City, but at Arsenal he seems a different player,’ Richards said.
‘He seems a lot more confident. He was so unlucky not to get his hat-trick. He’s got everything in his game.
‘He popped up in so many positions, he’s alert in the box. His all-round game was brilliant.
‘I’m just happy for him because at Man City he gave so much in terms of work rate, but now it feels he is the main man. A great day for him, it really was.’
Speaking after the match, Jesus said: ‘I am so happy because we played so good against a tough opponent. I work all day every day to score goals.
‘I was not unhappy at Manchester City, I just wanted to play and the club understood.’
Arsenal boss Arteta 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.’
Arsenal are in next in action against Scott Parker’s Bournemouth as they look to make it three wins from their opening three Premier League games.
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