Gabriel Jesus’ extraordinary journey: From painting the streets of Sao Paulo to Arsenal’s stellar Star

Following a £45 million agreement between the two Premier League rivals for the striker, Jesus inks a five-year contract with Arsenal. The 25-year-old has had an amazing career since signing with City at the age of 19, having previously been signed by Brazilian team Palmerias.

Having developed a close relationship with Mikel Arteta while the Spaniard was at City, the four-time Premier League winner is now ready to assume the role of Arsenal’s key player. Jesus was seen painting in the streets of Sao Paulo just nine years ago, so his life hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows.

Jesus was just a regular Brazilian child growing up—nothing exceptional. Naturally, he shared the national obsession with football and had a strong sense of street culture.

Even now, there are many of young people in Brazil who are emulating their favorite football stars as they walk the streets. Yet, due to Brazil’s intense football enthusiasm, very few people leave the country. As generations have shown, those that do, however, are of the finest grade.

Before receiving a youth contract at Palmerias in 2013, Jesus was seen playing and having fun with the other youngsters in his neighborhood as well as painting the sidewalks, as was customary for the Brazilian. He is anticipated to replace Arteta as Arsenal’s new number nine after nine years as Arteta’s “process” moves forward.

Jesus took advantage of his opportunity at Palmerias, where in his rookie season, he scored 54 goals in 48 games for their minor team. After scoring 37 goals in 22 games the next year, offers started to trickle in. Before City came calling, Jesus—who was just 17 years old when he made his senior debut in 2015—scored 21 goals in 67 games for the first team.

The Brazilian quickly gained popularity again after being revealed to the City supporters in January 2017. With seven goals in 11 games for Pep Guardiola’s squad at the end of the season, he became the first player in City history to score and provide an assist on their professional debut.

But there have been challenges for Jesus. His right foot’s fractured metatarsal stopped him from progressing at City, and he missed another 14 Premier League games due to a medial ligament injury to his knee just as he was beginning to regain form. Even though he was absent for a large chunk of the 2017–18 campaign, Jesus had one of his most memorable moments.

Jesus rallied toward the end of the season, and City needed to prevail in the final game to make Premier League history as the first team to finish with more than 100 points. In the 94th minute of the Premier League season, the Brazilian sealed the final goal against Southampton, leading City to an incredible 100 points.

The Brazilian was rewarded with a contract extension in August 2018. He was awarded the renowned number nine jersey a year later, replacing his previous number thirty-three. With his new number on, Jesus had his best Premier League season yet, playing in 34 games and tallying 14 goals.

Although Jesus has continued to be a key component of City’s two championship-winning seasons, the signing of Erling Haaland raised speculation that it would be time for Jesus to move up to a more prominent position somewhere rather than stay on as a utility player for City.

The city is full of stars, and his leaving has nothing to do with his lack of ability. Jesus, however, was unable to turn down the opportunity to start at Arsenal, where he would reunite with friend and former mentor Arteta.

“He is a fantastic guy and fantastic manager,” Jesus said of Arteta. The Brazilian also expressed gratitude to the former City coach for his help before Arteta left in 2019 to join Arsenal. He is consequently ideal for us. “I tell him that I want to finish after training, and he comes to assist me.” Everyone in the club, even the players, is aware of this.

Jesus is looking to enhance his resume with individual accomplishments in addition to team awards, and Arsenal is the next destination on his journey. Jesus might be the player to lead Arsenal to new heights under Arteta, and the team seems to have a promising future.

Jesus challenges Bayern

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus warned Bayern Munich that the London team has matured and is no longer naive.

“For me, there is no problem in coming and talking (to young players – PV). I am also a player, the type of person who is always ready to share when young players come to talk to me. “, ESPN quoted Jesus.

“If I see something I need to speak up to help them, I will do it. But I don’t think Arsenal is a kids’ team anymore. They have all played in big football playgrounds, like the World Cup, Premier League and now the Champions League . So I think everyone is ready to help each other when needed,” the Brazilian striker emphasized.

Along with Kai Havertz, Jesus is one of the few rare Arsenal players who has breathed air in the Champions League many times. The Brazilian striker even appeared in the Champions League final of the 2020/21 season when Man City lost to Chelsea with a score of 0-1.

Before the quarter-finals of the 2023/24 Champions League season against Bayern Munich, Arsenal was highly appreciated thanks to its sublime performance. Meanwhile, the opponent staggered, continuously receiving defeat in the Bundesliga. Experts say this is the perfect time for the “Gunners” to defeat the German representative.

However, the biggest barrier for Arsenal lies in battle experience. Many people believe that the “Gunners” are still a young team in the most prestigious club-level playground on the planet. However, Jesus has the opposite view. He is very confident in Arsenal’s ability to win.

“At this time, we are ready, confident and more mature,” the former Man City striker emphasized.

Facing Bayern, Arsenal reunited with Harry Kane. While playing for Tottenham , the English striker scored 14 goals and had 3 assists when clashing with the “Gunners”. A true “fiend” to the representative of London. Even if Bayern is no longer as strong as before, they still cannot be underestimated when Kane is on the attack.

“Everyone knows Kane’s qualities,” Jesus said. “For me, Kane is the best striker in the world.”

At 2:00 a.m. on April 10, Arsenal hosted Bayern at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.