Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus in 'different shape' this pre-season; Key to Gunners' Title Charge?

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus was getting back to his old self and looked ominous against Manchester United with his trademark hustle on full display.

Arsenal didn't get the best version of Gabriel Jesus last season due to nagging knee injuries, but the Brazilian has had a faultless pre-season thus far and is already reaping the rewards.

Jesus was back to his menacing best against Manchester United and got our first goal after a delicious Ethan Nwaneri cross found him at close range, and he tapped home with ease.

For Jesus, this time last year, he was in a dark place, but now, he's fighting fit and ready for the season to begin.

“My last pre-season was not good because I was feeling my knee, so I had to have surgery and missed all of the pre-season," Jesus said via arsenal.com. "So, I was trying to force it during that pre-season, but at the end I couldn’t and had surgery. That was a little bit difficult after to come back, but this season is different. I could enjoy my holidays and then I trained a lot, and I was focused to come back well and do a good pre-season. Now I’m in different shape and can play football again.”

Against United, Jesus was everywhere. Chasing down every ball, putting United's defenders under constant pressure in what was similar to how he started his Arsenal career.

While missed that at times last season. If he can stay fully healthy and bring his weapons to the table, then the Gunners will have yet another avenue to try and usurp Manchester City for the league title.

Of course, it is only pre-season, and there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before the season starts, but a different Jesus might mean a different Arsenal and a different outcome in 2024.

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