Mikel Arteta wants us running all the time — Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus, the Arsenal striker, has shed light on the differences between his current manager, Mikel Arteta, and his former boss at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola.

Arteta had served as Guardiola’s assistant at City before taking over the reins at Arsenal in December 2019. During their time together at the Etihad Stadium, Arteta and Jesus experienced tremendous success.

However, after signing Jesus in the summer of 2022, Mikel Arteta came close to clinching the Premier League title, finishing ahead of Guardiola’s City in the competition.

During an appearance on the Brazilian Podcast with Paulo Filho and Tiago Damulakis, Jesus was asked about his experience of working with the two managers.

The Brazilian forward noted that apart from their contrasting levels of experience, Arteta’s approach emphasizes a high-intensity playing style.

He revealed, “Mikel wants us to be very intense. We have a young squad, so he wants us to be running all the time.”

Arteta’s emphasis on intensity and a relentless work rate reflects his desire to harness the youthful energy within the Arsenal squad. The Gunners have been undergoing a rebuilding phase under Arteta’s leadership, with an emphasis on developing a dynamic and hardworking team.

In contrast, Guardiola, renowned for his tactical acumen and attention to detail, had a different managerial style during Jesus’ time at Manchester City. Guardiola’s approach focused on intricate possession-based football, where players were encouraged to display technical prowess and maintain control of the game.

Jesus’ comments provide insights into the contrasting philosophies of the two managers, highlighting the distinct playing styles they instill in their respective teams.

As Arsenal looks to challenge for major honors in the upcoming season, Arteta’s emphasis on intensity and high energy will continue to shape the team’s approach on the field.

With a young and talented squad at his disposal, Mikel Arteta aims to maximize their potential through a relentless and hardworking style of play.