Mikel Arteta has said he has seen “something different” from striker Gabriel Jesus since last season, as the Brazilian impressed against Bayer Leverkusen.
Jesus, who scored four goals in 27 Premier League appearances last term, was on target with a fine finish against the Bundesliga champions on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old failed to score in his last 10 league appearances after returning from a knee injury, with Kai Havertz starring in the number nine position in his absence.
However, Arteta has been impressed with Jesus’ displays in pre-season, but has set his striker a challenge of becoming more consistent this year.
“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,” Arteta said.
“I could sense it. 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.