Gabriel Jesus reckons he has been taking it easy on Arsenal centre-backs Gabriel and William Saliba in training, so not to damage their confidence ahead of the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
The Gunners and Bayern meet on Tuesday night at the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in a blockbuster clash.
The Germans might not be in top form, losing their last two Bundesliga games, but history suggests they will provide a stern test for the Premier League side nonetheless.
Jesus faced the media ahead of the visit of Bayern and was asked about Arsenal’s impressive centre-back pairing and what it is like to face them in training.
The Brazilian admitted it isn’t easy, but he joked that he lets them off the hook so they are not too downhearted ahead of big games.
‘It’s hard,’ he said of facing the defenders. ‘They are tough, they are strong, it’s hard to pass them but sometimes we pass them, but I don’t want to kill their confidence for the game.’
He added: ‘They deserve a lot [of praise]. Willy, last year, he unfortunately had an injury that cost him the second part [of the season].
‘It is just paying off because they work a lot and everyone at Arsenal hopes they keep fit until the end of the season because then we have a big chance to win a trophy.’
Jesus also had praise for goalkeeper David Raya who, after a shaky start to life at Arsenal, has been impressive in their Premier League and Champions League pursuits.
‘He’s so good ‘keeper and good person as well,’ the striker said of the stopper. ‘Before I only knew him playing against him, but when he joined the club we can see he’s a very good guy and amazing ‘keeper like Aaron [Ramsdale]. We have two very good keepers, he’s helping a lot.’
On Arsenal’s Champions League hopes, the striker added: ‘All the players here and the club wants to win [the Champions League] – we are in the quarter-finals and anything can happen.
‘We have still two big games [against Bayern], two big battles and then we will see.’
MORE : ‘It’s not easy’ – Gabriel Jesus responds to speculation that Arsenal want to sign a new striker
MORE : William Gallas names two Man Utd players he wants Chelsea to sign this summer
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