20 September 2023 , 16:47
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Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has spoken of his “secret agent” role in helping persuade Oleksandr Zinchenko to swap Manchester City for the Gunners.
Both players were multiple title-winners at the Etihad but both joined City’s Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2022. The duo’s arrival helped propel Mikel Arteta’s side into the Manchester side’s main title rivals.
Between them, Jesus and Zinchenko represented City on over 350 occasions but neither were first-team regulars in Pep Guardiola’s team. Their decisions to move to north London were driven by their desire for more game-time and the opportunity to become stars for a title-challenging side.
Forward Jesus joined the Gunners before Zinchenko’s switch was completed and the Brazilian international has now opened up on his own role in helping convince the Ukrainian to swap City for Arteta’s side.
Speaking at a press conference this week, Jesus explained: "I was in Manchester, at home with my family and I was supposed to come to London the day after and come in by car. Edu just text me and said they were going to Zinny's house, if I want to come to join them to talk with Zin and then I come by plane. So I say 'OK.' I went there and talked with him. He was surprised.
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"If I helped a little bit he took the decision to come, I am happy because I like him as a player, as a person. I treat him as a brother and I am very happy he came. He is playing good, playing every time and more than this is very happy so I'm happy for him."
The forward continued: "I just said 'Zina, you have to take a decision like I did and I am happy with this.' He was a little bit 'I don't know, I need to talk with my wife first' but he took the decision [to come]. I think if you ask him, it was the right decision."
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Jesus and Zinchenko both swapped City for Arsenal last year (Getty Images)Jesus had been described as a "secret agent," a nickname to which the forward laughed: "Yeah, he can give me some percent [of the money]!"
Pushed on how Zinchenko has described him as a "secret agent," Jesus replied: "Yeah, he can give me some percent [of the money]!" The two players were involved in Arsenal’s title challenge last season, which eventually fell short of City – who won their fifth league crown in six seasons.