Arsenal youngster Khayon Edwards says senior teammate is a 'joke' in training

Arsenal youngster Khayon Edwards revealed which senior player has impressed him most in training.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been extremely active in the transfer market thus far, having signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65million and agreed to a £105million deal for Declan Rice.

Indeed, the Gunners are close to finalising terms over their deal for the West Ham captain, with the guaranteed portion of the fee expected to be paid in three instalments over 24 months.

Elsewhere Arsenal are also thought to be on the cusp of securing a £45million deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.

Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar’s recent track record in the transfer market has been impressive, with last season’s additions having played a major role in the club’s title chase.

And according to 19-year-old Arsenal academy graduate Edwards last season’s £45million summer signing Gabriel Jesus is among the most impressive players in training.

Gabriel Jesus “a joke” in training

Speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast after a difficult injury-hit campaign, Edwards heaped praise on Jesus.

The teenager said: “I’ll be real, Gabi Jesus. His hold-up play is a joke. You should see him in training.

“[He’s] elegant, just the way he moves, his movement is always too sharp. So, I try and take that out of his game and put it into mine.

“He’s very good [with the young players]. At first, I thought, maybe he might try and be a bit big-time. But, to be fair, the first time I travelled with the first team, he put his arm around me and he asked who I am basically.

“He tried to get to know me, some players are just like, ‘Who’s this guy?’ and walk past, but he actually gave me the time of day.”

Amid all the big-money arrivals, Arsenal are also expected to sanction some departures with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey appearing the most likely to make an imminent move.

Another player that could be sold is Hale End graduate Folarin Balogun after the player netted 22 goals in Ligue 1 while on loan at Reims.

And should Balogun leave Arsenal would be losing an impressive talent.

“He’s a serious player,” Edwards said. “He is one of the, from what I have seen, one of the best to come out [of Arsenal], from my generation.

“The way he plays, he just plays so freely. It’s raw but elegant at the same time.

“He just bangs goals for fun, that’s what strikers love to do. It’s just good to see him doing it.”

Topics: Football, Transfers, Premier League, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Jesus

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.