Gabriel Jesus' determination to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place in the first team has been endorsed by Mikel Arteta, who has unveiled his final transfer strategy.
Despite injury worries, the £65million signing of Kai Havertz, and alleged hefty offers from Saudi Arabia, it was believed that Jesus' two-year stint in north London would come to an end this summer.
However, the 27 year old reportedly entered this season with the intention of battling for first-team minutes under Arteta, and his resolve appears to have paid off.
Jesus was trusted to complete the Gunners' 2-0 opening-day home victory against Gary O'Neil's Wolves, and it was disclosed after the game that the Brazilian is part of Arteta's title-contending plans, with a new striker seemingly not on the cards.
According to The Sun, Arsenal's sharpshooter is prepared to battle for his first-team spot at the Emirates, regardless of rumoured £60m offers from Saudi Pro League teams.
His manager has now rewarded such ambition, stating that he is currently satisfied with his forward options following the club's opening win and that he will now concentrate on enhancing and trusting current players like Jesus.
"I have faith in [Havertz], we have faith in [Gabriel Jesus], Leandro [Trossard] has played in that position," Arteta told talkSPORT after a Wolves victory, which saw preferred frontman Havertz score the opener.
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Arteta has placed his faith in the squad's diverse talents, emphasising the importance of trusting and improving the players.
The Arsenal boss said this week: "So we have different qualities in there, and the best thing we can do is trust our players and try to improve them. They are so good and so willing and that's what we focus on."
Jesus, who shone during Arsenal's pre-season tour in the US, particularly in a 2-1 victory over Erik ten Hag's Manchester United, has been lauded by Arteta for his personal development. "He looks really good," Arteta remarked, commending Jesus after he scored the equaliser against United.
"He looks really sharp. He has changed a lot of things over the summer."
Arteta continued to praise Jesus' condition and readiness: "He has come in top condition again. And when you have that baseline, other things can be built, but without that foundation, you don't have a player. He needs to be in that condition to get the best out of him. He has realised that. And I'm really happy with what he's shown today again."
The manager also noted Jesus' renewed vigour and determination: "The way he looks, his rhythm, his sharpness, the way he is moving. You can see in his eyes as well that there is again some spark there because he has got now a point to prove."
With Arsenal refraining from splurging on high-profile strikers like Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, despite summer links, Jesus is now tasked with proving himself as the club places its confidence in his abilities to meet their ambitions.
