Gabriel Jesus explains role Edu gave him in Arsenal’s move for Zinchenko

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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has explained the role he played in tempting Oleksandr Zinchenko to the club.

Arsenal signed both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

Jesus arrived at the Emirates Stadium first. The Gunners paid £45 million for the Brazilian striker, before Zinchenko followed a few weeks later in a deal worth £32 million.

Both players quickly established themselves as key figures for the north London club. Jesus has now shared details of the part he played in getting the 55-cap Ukraine international to follow him to Arsenal.

As quoted by Football.London, the £265,000-a-week forward said, “I was in Manchester at home with my family. I was supposed to come home day after. I come by car. Edu text me and that they were going to Zini’s house, and asked if I wanted to join them. I came by plane. I went there and he was surprised.”

Zinchenko himself has previously given his version of events. The left-back said on Footballer’s Lives, “Mikel came to my house with the general director. We were sitting outside. And suddenly someone rings my bell and I say I’m going to have to go in case it was a delivery or someone else.”

“There was just Gabriel Jesus behind my gate. So the secret agent came to my house and we had a good conversation all of us. It was a really positive one.”

Jesus and Zinchenko have been Arsenal game-changers

Edu deserves credit for going to the lengths he did to ensure that Arsenal were able to land their transfer targets. This story also offers an insight into how Arteta operates within the club’s recruitment process.

Jesus and Zinchenko obviously developed a relationship during their time spent at Manchester City together. They will also have already been familiar with Arteta, who was an assistant to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, prior to his appointment as Arsenal manager.

The former Manchester City duo have had a transformative impact at the Emirates Stadium. Their experiences of winning the biggest prizes in the game and exemplary professionalism has made them an example for their teammates to follow.

They have taken Arsenal a step closer to once again being able to seriously compete for major trophies. Even though they have both had their injury issues since joining the club, their influence and impact can’t be overestimated.

Jesus and Zinchenko may well be involved for Arsenal tonight, as the Gunners get their Champions League campaign underway against Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven.